It is hard to write about suicide. Why a person chooses to take their life. What happens to those left behind. The depression. The guilt. The shame. The helplessness…
Each year, one million people choose to take their own life- the old, the young, males, females; people from all backgrounds and nationalities. Additionally, for every one person who completes suicide, sadly many more attempt suicide - making a continuing impact on individuals, families and the community.
Aokigahara Jukai - The Sea of Trees, has a declining suicide rate.Beyond the usual sensationalist reporting, what is known is suicide is not a pointless or random act, or a defect of character; over 90% of people who died by suicide had clinical depression or another diagnosable mental disorder at the time.
Depressive disorders caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, make a person feel exhausted, worthless, alone without friends, and hopeless. Suicide becomes an option when a person’s ability and resources to cope with the pain of mental illness becomes unbearable. To those struggling with clinical depression, suicide can appear to be an answer to what feels like at the time an insoluble problem and a way out of the unbearable pain and suffering.
Small paths lead off into the distance. These imbalances can lead to the person not understanding the options available to help them that can help relieve their suffering. In Japan, economic concerns that lead to unemployment or financial worries, having health concerns, and being elderly & alone represent some of the major risk factors for developing depression.
Alone, without reference, everything looks different and confusing. There appears to be no way out.A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted or needed. We can all play an important role in saving lives, by learning more about depression and the warning signs for suicide and reaching out to those struggling with such thoughts. It is also important for us all to realize that depression is a medical illness that can be treated and successfully managed. With support and treatment most people go on to recover, and lead productive lives.
Volcanic rock from nearby Fuji-san, and undulating ground make the area dangerous. Cell phones do not work.
GPS does not work. It is very easy to get lost, and every year they sweep the forest for bodies.Disasters do not result in an increase in suicides, despite what the mainstream media would like to have us believe to sell more newspapers. Numerous studies based on analytical work support this observation. So, it is very frustrating to see the same old angle being exploited by the ignorant press yet again about recent events here in Japan.
Natural alcoves of rock & trees attracted those feeling depressed. Ghosts in the area adding to the strange feel of The Sea of Trees. September 10 is
World Suicide Prevention Day – and if you’ve been touched by suicide or care about those who may be contemplating suicide, please seek out your local events to support awareness. World Suicide Prevention Day, first started in 2003, and is held annually on September 10 each year co-sponsored by the World Health Organization. It aims to:
• Raise awareness that suicide is preventable.
• Improve education about suicide.
• Spread information about suicide awareness.
• Decrease stigmatization regarding suicide.
The campaign asks supporters to take any of these five steps:
• Learn the warning signs for suicide.
• Join the online movement to prevent suicide.
• Spread the word (like this).
• Support a friend.
• Reach out if you need help.
Numbered trees are needed to allow safe navigation. The terrain is far too rough to allow walking in a straight line, and getting lost a few meters from the path is a real possibility.Most importantly if you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, reach out because there are those around you that care.
On our first visit, we attempted to escape the grip of Aokigahara Jukai and 45 minutes later came across our own footsteps in the snow... We had to form a relay line, shouting to each other to navigate what we thought was a straight line. It took another hour or more to get out. 