The pervasive challenges surrounding mental health, particularly among adolescents, have become increasingly evident on a global scale. In Japan, where suicide is a tragic leading cause of death among young people, researchers from the University of Tokyo embarked on a six-year study to unravel the intricate factors impacting adolescent mental well-being. The study, encompassing 2,344 adolescents and their caregivers, utilized computer-based deep learning to analyze the collected data, revealing five distinct categories that shed light on the nuanced landscape of adolescent mental health.
Nearly 40% of the participants fell into groups categorized as having some problems, with almost 10% living with unidentified mental health issues according to their caregivers. This subset faced a heightened risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation. Recognizing the factors influencing young individuals towards suicidal tendencies is crucial for formulating effective preventive measures and early intervention strategies.
In 2022, Japan witnessed a tragic milestone as 514 youths and children aged 18 and below lost their lives to suicide—a record high since data recording began in 1978. Suicide stands as the primary cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 34, according to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. While adult suicide rates have seen a general decline over the past decade, the reverse holds for adolescents. The complex interplay of school-related issues, challenging personal and family relationships, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic is believed to contribute to the concerning surge in adolescent suicides.
The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges suicide as a significant global public health concern but emphasizes its preventability through evidence-based interventions and addressing factors leading to poor mental health. Researchers from the University of Tokyo, in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of adolescent issues, assessing both self-reported and caregiver-assessed problems to identify youths at risk of suicide.
Daiki Nagaoka, a doctoral student in the Department of Neuropsychiatry at the University of Tokyo and a hospital psychiatrist, emphasizes the importance of societal involvement in recognizing and supporting adolescents facing difficulties in seeking help. The study, recently published in The Lancet Regional Health—Western Pacific, involved a six-year survey of adolescents and their caregivers in Tokyo, focusing on psychological and behavioral problems, family and school life sentiments, and contributing factors like maternal health during pregnancy and involvement in bullying.
Employing deep learning techniques, the research categorized adolescents into five groups—unaffected, internalizing, discrepant, externalizing, and severe—based on trajectories of psychological and behavioral problems. The largest group, constituting 60.5% of adolescents, was labeled “unaffected.” The remaining 40% exhibited negative impacts, with the “discrepant” group showing the highest risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Predictors for this group included the child’s avoidance of seeking help for depression and the caregiver’s mental health status.
While the study has limitations, it highlights critical risk factors that can aid in predicting adolescent mental health groups. Nagaoka emphasizes the need to establish supportive systems within society to address the diverse challenges faced by adolescents and encourage them to seek help. Recognizing the fluid nature of adolescent difficulties, the researchers aspire to delve deeper into understanding how these challenges interact and evolve in response to surrounding individuals and environments.
