Mental Illness in Japan Part 5: Stigma

I have met three exchange students who experienced depression whilst on exchange. They all lived in different areas of Japan and felt that there were some misunderstandings about mental illnesses and more limited treatment options. A fourth student (I heard about through word of mouth) had attempted suicide. Other students on my exchange program and the Japanese Coordinator mocked him, which I found to be disturbing. But, perhaps that experience was unusual?

During my research about eating disorders in Japan I did find a documentary, some posters and medical information about anorexia nevosa in Japanese. (Interestingly, if the fat to muscle ratio is not right, showing symptoms of anorexia nevosa, then sometimes exercise is prescribed by Japanese Doctors). I don't think that there is total ignorance about mental illness in Japan. After all, there has been a lot of talk about depression and suicide in Japan.

The Japanese Prime Minister also recently pushed for a plan to put mentally ill people first in order to try and end discrimination in the work recruitment process - which is ahead of most of the countries in the world in terms of trying to end mental illness discrimination in work recruitment and is a very progressive step.

Unfortunately, the Japanese Economy is in serious debt at the moment. I had a Japanese friend who wanted to become a Psychologist in Japan, but due to the economic situation - she thought it wouldn't be possible. If anyone has experienced mental illness in Japan then I would love to hear your views. How do you think the situation can be improved and what were the positives and negatives of your experience?

P.S. here's a website about mental illness in Japan.

Mental Illness in Japan Part 4: Sick Classmates

Warning: Triggering

She rolled up her sleeves and showed me the slashes there. Not just a couple of slashes either, but red slashes, cut over and over each other. I froze for a fraction of a section to collect myself. I felt shocked. A classmate who I loved and cared about was in pain.
I can't go into more detail because I don't want to expose this lovely girl's identity. 


Another classmate in Japan would frequently break down into tears. Her Grandma had died and due to the difficult economic situation  her best friend had to move to Hokkaido. She often looked tired. She would play with her food and plough through it wearily. She was in this state for a couple of months. Now, that I look back, I think she may have been depressed.

Yet another classmate had anorexia nevosa and anorexia. Her cheeks had concaved and the skin hung from her arms and legs in folds. She could not jump. Her classmates would loudly proclaim about how delicious their food was - a passive way of trying to encourage her to eat. But, I didn't see anyone actively go up to her and encourage her to eat. Her condition was the saddest I'd ever seen both on and offline - because her physical condition was the sickest I'd ever seen (and I have been inside an intensive care ward) and because she was such a beautiful, kind person on the inside.

There were no Qualified Counsellors available at the two highschools I went to on long term exchange.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Mental Illness in Japan Part 3: Suicide

Warning: This may be a trigger!

The cherry blossom is not only a pretty flower but it is also a symbolic flower within Japanese history. For those who aren't aware, cherry blossom trees only flower for a short period of time each year. But, when they do blossom the look is awesomely beautiful. The cherry blossom trees tend to blossom at once and are covered in cherry blossoms like a stick covered in fairy floss (candy cane). The cherry blossoms then fall to the ground with gusts of wind...like samurais.

Why are they like samurais?
●The Samurai lifespan also didn't tend to be very long. Many died in battle or committed suicide if they lost the battle (harakiri/seppaku). There were mass numbers of samurais dying just as mass numbers of cherry blossoms fall after they bloom.
●When the Samurais committed Harakiri they would slit open their bellies, exposing the contents inside.  It was partly a way of showing, hey look, I'm a human being ~ on the inside I'm the same.
*That was a very vague description and thus could be misleading. There could be a lot more discussion about this topic.*

Not cherry blossoms but similar looking. 

But, what I learnt from Japanese history is that within Samurai history, suicide was not stigmatized as much as within UK Christian history. In fact, suicide may instead be seen as a kind of remorse, honour or redemption by some in Japan. But, within UK history, suicide was often  seen as a form of murder by a number of Christian followers. Having been influenced by Christian morals, I find it challenging to accept suicide as a positive thing.

I don't think that within modern Japan, suicide is seen as such a positive thing. But, I think that little aspects of history have some influence till this day. Two or three times my train was late in Japan because someone had committed suicide on the tracks and they needed to be cleaned off.  I was told that the train stations charge the family with the clean up job in order to try and deter Salary men from jumping.

TO BE CONTINUED...