Consultations from Teens Surge as Suicides Among Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students Reach Record High

The NPO 'Anata no Ibasho' (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Board Chair: Norikazu Negishi) is releasing the analysis results of chat consultation data received during fiscal year 2025 (April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026) in conjunction with the Month for Strengthening Measures against Loneliness and Isolation. While the total number of suicides in the 2025 suicide statistics decreased, the number of suicides among those aged 19 and under increased, with the number of suicides among elementary, junior high, and high school students reaching 538, the highest since statistics began in 1980. The increase among junior high and high school students is particularly notable. In response to this social situation, we analyzed the trends in consultations from teenagers received by 'Anata no Ibasho.' The number of consultations in fiscal year 2025 reached 436,536, an increase of 28,219 from the previous year. Consultations from teenagers, in particular, have increased significantly. 88.2% of teenage consultees answered that they 'feel lonely,' suggesting a strong correlation between loneliness and suicidal ideation.