| ■ Depression Common Among Japanese Teens | 2007.10.15 |
| About 10.7 percent of Japanese youth aged 12 to 13 suffer depression, according to a survey conducted by researchers at Hokkaido University. The finding comes at a time of growing concern about a recent rash of youth suicides in the country, Agence France-Presse reported. "It is surprising that the prevalence rate is that high," said research team leader Professor Kenzo Denda. "Cases of depression among children have been overlooked until now. But we should consider measures seriously in view of the fact that such depression has a causal relationship with suicides." The researchers, who conducted face-to-face interviews with young people, also found that about 4.2 percent of children aged 9 to 13 suffered from depression and the rate increased as children got older, AFP reported. Bullying at school has been pinpointed as a major factor in the recent wave of child suicides in Japan. |