Schools Turn to IT Tools to Detect Students at Risk of Suicide
Tokyo's Adachi Ward will begin testing a digital screening system in September to identify students at risk of suicide, as schools strengthen prevention efforts during the period following the summer vacation, when child suicides are particularly high. (News On Japan)
Adachi Ward in Tokyo will begin testing a digital screening system called RAMPS in September to identify students at risk of suicide. The initiative aims to detect children who may be struggling before their condition worsens, following a period of high child suicide rates in the ward. Teachers and staff received training on the screening test on August 26, which will be implemented at one municipal junior high school for a trial period.
RAMPS uses tablet computers for students to answer questions about their psychological distress and suicide risk. The system assesses the level of risk based on their responses and the time taken to answer. School staff welcomed the additional means of communication for students who may find it difficult to express their feelings directly.
The use of systems to make suicide risks among children more visible has been spreading across Japan, with RAMPS introduced at 170 schools nationwide as of the end of fiscal 2025.
Written by urgent.news from News On Japan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
