Hotline Reports Record Number of Suicide Calls
- Share via
From Times Wire Reports
A Tokyo telephone counseling hotline said it received the largest number of suicide-related calls in its 30-year history last year.
The service, called Phone of Life, said it received 1,971 calls in the year ended March 31, the most since the service began in 1971 and a rise of 453 from the previous year.
A record 33,048 people killed themselves in Japan in 1999, the latest year for which figures are available. Debt or job loss was blamed for about 20% of the suicides.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
