Philippine Daily Inquirer

Japan region taps toilet paper to help suicidal youth

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TOKYO—Authoritie­s in Yamanashi, central Japan, are printing messages of support on toilet paper in an effort to help prevent suicides among the young. “Dear you, who might want to end it all,” reads the toilet paper. The number of elementary, middle and high school-age students dying by suicide hit a new record of 499 in 2020, the health ministry said. Officials think printing reassuring messages and suicide-prevention hotline numbers on sheets of toilet paper might help distressed young people. “You’re alone in the toilet. We felt that it’s at moments like this when you might be more prone to thoughts of anguish,” another message read. The campaign printed 6,000 rolls printed with messages and phone numbers, which were distribute­d to 12 universiti­es last month.

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