Many public elementary and junior high schools in Aichi Prefecture start their new semester from the 1st. After summer vacation, there tends to be an increase in child suicides. To protect children, creating a place for them is said to be important. What are the efforts in this region?
From August 27th to September 2nd, the Nagoya Legal Affairs Bureau has designated the week as “Children’s Human Rights Consultation” enhancement week, increasing the number of staff for the consultation hotline “Children’s Human Rights Hotline” to handle calls.
On the morning of the 1st, three consultations were received from parents regarding their children being bullied.
According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there is a tendency for child suicides to increase from late August to early September, peaking around September 1st.
After summer vacation, how can parents notice changes in children who are struggling with worries?
“Before symptoms like inability to sleep or eat appear, signs such as avoiding eye contact, speaking less, or being irritable often occur. It’s important to have casual daily conversations so these signs can be noticed early.”
Meanwhile, efforts to create “places for children” are also happening in front of Nagoya Station.
“There is an organization called the National Children’s Welfare Center that focuses on outreach activities led by children and young people, creating hubs for interaction.”
This is an NPO organization based in Nagoya.
Every Saturday from evening to night, they gather in the square on the west side of Nagoya Station and engage in outreach to children.
This is to prevent child suicides, isolation, and delinquency.
“Every Saturday, if you go there, you can meet the mascot members—someone is there. We felt it was necessary to operate in places where children and young people gather, so we started activities on the streets rather than in facilities.”
The activity emphasizes “connection” and “security” more than “problem-solving.”
When noticing something unusual about a child, it is advised to prioritize communication over questioning the reason.
“If you push too hard with words alone, some children may feel it’s violent. They might think, ‘Why are you asking all these things without any trust?’ It’s better to communicate through what you’re good at or what the child likes. That’s why we value spending time together.”
This organization includes people who were once on the receiving end of such outreach.
“About six years ago, when I passed by the activity spot, a university student member at the time reached out to me. Now I come every week without fail.”
“I didn’t fit in well at school and was often alone. When I was wandering around this area, this organization reached out to me. I started with the desire to prevent others from feeling the same way.”
Having faced similar struggles, they feel the importance of this activity.
“I want as many people as possible to know about this activity. To make that happen, if I take the lead, someone will notice. That’s why I reach out with that thought.”
