14-year-old girl survives suicide attempt at Mie school

Hopefully when she gets well, her parents won't stick her back into the system with a "ganbarre!"

Glad she's allright. Hope her friends help her pull through. Adults have obviously failed her.

In an ideal world, school staff would keep an eye out for kids that seem depressed, and take a proactive approach instead of waiting for the kid to come to them with their problems.

Obviously, in the real world, school staff assume that unless a kid comes to them with specific plans to kill themselves, everything is hunky dory.

The principal of the school said the girl had never spoken with staff about any issues

Why does this always seem to surprise these school principals, in a country where everyone keeps everything bottled inside?

That,s way tooooooo young to even contemplate suicide,, didn,t the teachers or parents notice anything!!!!!!

I think the parents are responsible for monitoring the kid's behavior, not the school.

Shes got guts! But why is it used in a negative way...

Poor girl needs someone to talk this through with her. It also brings to mind that in the UK she'd now be arrested for attempting to kill her self. Screwed up law. Especially when all they need is some help in dealing with issues in their life.

When will the authorities stop and realise that the whole education system and ancient beliefs are way out of date.

They need to totally revamp the whole system, and ask what is education in its purest form, then perform a side-by-side comparison. I think they would be very surprised (or even shocked).

The education systems should produce educated, open, independent and critical thinkers. But as we all know they don't. Instead they churn out highly stressed, pressured and brainwashed robots who have been taught to learn process and procedures in a pure repetitive 'parrot' fashion without the option of open dialogue and debate. And if they try to be independent as a student, they are seen as an outcast and the other robots prey on them.

Plus, the whole 'Ganbarre' culture needs to be abolished. People and students need to be taught to express their feelings without shame or pressure... Bottling everything up through peer pressure and the evil 'Ganbarre' culture unfortunately causes so many to just snap, with sometimes fatal consequences.

Come on J Gov, wake up, step back and take a very long and serious look at how poor the system is managed (but you won't)....

That,s way tooooooo young to even contemplate suicide,, didn,t the teachers or parents notice anything!!!!!!

Unfortunately it's not. I had a childhood friend kill himself when he was 13. Depression can hit people of any age.

It's sad that someone feels the need to do this, but it's good news the girl will survive. Hopefully she gets the treatment, love, and support she needs to get better.

Why can't she just be like everybody else and sit quietly? It's impolite and selfish to monopolize the entire classroom's attention. Seriously though, why do the windows even open wide enough to allow ledge access? My junior high didn't even have a second floor, and yet the windows still didn't open enough for even a small child to climb in or out. Suicide attempts should alert parents and teachers that there's a problem, but there needs to be a course of action that leads to a solution, beyond those silly posters that feature 19 y.o. models posing with a fist limply raised to her breast saying "don't kill yourself".

Shouldn't the headline read "14-year-old girl fails suicide attempt."

Moderator: The headline is fine.

TokyoXtreme, the windows are probably sliding windows, which I see in a lot of the schools, even elementary. These windows are probably open during the sultry summer months, because a lot of schools don't have air conditioners. I agree that they should be made so that no one can get out on the ledge, but there are so many things regarding the construction of Japanese schools that are accidents waiting to happen.

I think this was more of a cry for help than a real suicide attempt. It is hard to imagine that a 14-year-old girl could face such depression that she wanted to end her life but it does happen. Kids at this age can feel a lot of pressure, from their peers, their parents, and may sense that there are high expectations of them. Perfectionist thinking is one of the most dangerous.

Teenagers rarely show their true feelings; especially to parents and teachers but as bamboohat mentioned, it is really up to the schools and parents to take a more pro-active approach. Do they even have counselors in junior high schools in Japan?

I hope that the girl recovers from her injuries quickly and can get the psychological help she needs. Sadly, I have a feeling that her family will be too ashamed to seek real assistance and she may continue to struggle...

Cutters (stress relievers excluded) are crying for help.

Also, it's not as easy as flipping a switch to change a culture that took generations to get where it is today.

It appears that none of the people posting here have this age level kid at home or work with them. I have both. Takes special talent to figure out what is going on with them, but most of the time you can. I do.

There is no special age for contemplating suicide. People can feel suicidal at any age, especially the teen years. Those are the roughest years going. Emotions about even the smallest things are so much more intense in that stage of life. It is a really rough age and teachers should be more educated on watching out for the signs. And there should be far more places for teens to turn for help and people for teens to talk to. Lots more awareness is needed.

I wonder... would it have be better for if she lives or had died. Living as a walking-wounded would be quite sorrowful.

If only people could have saved her before it progressed this far...

In an ideal world, school staff would keep an eye out for kids that seem depressed,

Yep, in the real world. But, in Japan the teachers are too busy watching other teachers, monster parents and themselves to worry about the kids. As long as a kid is spending at least six hours a day on their keitai they are normal.

Disillusioned has it right. Too many parents just expect teachers to also do their parenting for them, and an education system that only cares about whether the kid can pass the entrance exam. I don't know any teacher that has the time or energy to know if a kid is considering suicide. which isn't an easy thing at the best of times.

I am assuming 'second-grade' means second year of middle school.

that girl needs serious therapy. its obvious that shes craving attention. but why jump?

that girl needs serious therapy. its obvious that shes craving attention. but why jump?

Umm, because she wanted to end it? I don't think she was craving attention, I think she wanted to die, thats why she jumped.