Keio Suzuki

Meio University, Japan

Abstract Title: Public Perceptions of Suicide in Okinawas Close?Knit Communities

Biography:

Keiko Suzuki completed her PhD in Nursing Science at the Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University. She was the former Vice President of Meio University and now serves as Professor Emeritus as well as a Specially Appointed Professor in the Doctoral Program. Her research focuses on culturally grounded support for suicide-bereaved families in Okinawa, suicide prevention, and the role of shamans in supporting the bereaved.

Research Interest:

In Okinawa, suicide-bereaved family members often experience psychological distancing within close-knit, mutually supportive communities. This study explores culturally grounded support for bereaved families by clarifying how suicide is perceived among general residents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 local residents knowledgeable about community events and ritual practices, focusing on contacts with people who died by suicide and their families, funerals and subsequent community responses, and personal attitudes toward suicide. Data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods, following ethics approval. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, funerary practices have rapidly simplified; simplification associated with suicide and that due to illness or old age appear concurrent. Common sentiments toward suicide included: funerals should be done quietly by family only, it brings trouble to the extended family, suicide should be kept secret, it is sacrilegious, and we owe an apology to ancestors. Participants generally lacked knowledge of funerals and Buddhist rites for suicide in their areas, confirming a tendency to avoid or shun suicide. While gatekeeper training is underway, culturally sensitive public enlightenment activities are required. For bereaved families, support should address anxiety about being known in the community as suicide survivors. At the same time, reducing secrecy surrounding suicide may improve mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of integrating cultural context into suicide prevention and bereavement support strategies in Okinawa.

Keywords: Suicide; Suicide-bereaved; Screcy; stigma; Okinawa cultural context