Job Discussion Forums

[Cubic09]

[gaijinalways]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of 'mental' cases in Japan that are untreated. Orthopedic rehab and mental illness treatment are pretty behind here many western countries. I still remember my first conversation partner telling me about her brother.

My partner (MP) Oh I have a brother.

Me (M) What does he do?

MP well, he's been sick so he stays at home.

M Has he visited a doctor?

MP No, he just stays at home.

M How long has this been going on?

MP 4 years.

M (4 years??!!)

Of course, there are very socially withdrawn people in every society, but it seems to be tolerated more in Japan where some young people stay at home and only come out of their room at night to eat (when they hope no one will confront them).

OP,

I suppose it's not my place to tell you what to do (as it's not), but I would imagine coming over here would be a lot more stressful, so I can't imagine it would be an improvement on your current situation (stress- wise that is).

That being said, good luck with whatever you decide.

[Glenski]

[Cubic09]

[Glenski]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[seklarwia]

[cornishmuppet]

Mental health problems are everywhere in Japan. I'd definitely agree with the 'under the carpet' comments though. I've worked with two teachers with problems, the first who keep disappearing during the day until finally he didn't come back, and the second was allowed to have a complete breakdown over a number of weeks in front of all the staff, doing the same as Glenski talking about, turning up every day but not teaching, just sobbing at her desk (and at one point on the floor under the coffee machine) until #finally# they signed her off. It was really really horrible to see.

And round the area I've just moved into there's some middle-aged guy who wanders around all day long urinating on people's gardens. It seems a day doesn't pass without me cycling past him while he'd trying to do his business. And in one corner of my garden (near the road thankfully) there's a small pile of bits of broken crockery which seems to keep getting bigger. My girlfriend thinks he's putting them there, having once seen him wander right into the garden (uninvited of course) and pull a piece of metal (an old bowl or something she said) out of a pile of old cuttings. It really freaked her out and we went round to the neighbourhood watch leader who said the guy is harmless enough but mentally ill (no &&&&, Sherlock!). Apparently he lives with his parents, one of whom is also sick, and the general impression we got was that we should just turn a blind eye. No surprise there...

[hopscotch]

Since you have already had either a depressive or excessive period this year, you might consider staying and working in your country until you have had a steady period of 2-years or more. You are going to a country that is completely different than your own. You will have to eat foods you are unfamiliar with and change your hours. Doing all that in just a few months after an bad period could destabilize you again.
Moreover, you will have demands of the job and training and of living in an area you are unfamiliar with. If you go to a rural area, this might be exceedingly tough and lonely and you might have no one to share your feelings and thoughts with. Best thing to do it remain at home until you have had a lengthy period of stability.

[Cubic09]

[womblingfree]

I had a co-worker in Japan that was depressed. he went to the doctor who said 'Do you drink?' to which my co-worker replied 'No.'

'You should start!' was the doctor's advice.

Before we get succumb to stereotypes about foreign doctor's though, a Japanese friend went to the doctor in the UK with depression, to which the doctor said. 'Your English isn't very good, that's why you're depressed. Why don't you go home?'

Unbelievable!

[BigZen]

There was a good article about mental illness in the JT today.

Depression and suicide


More than 30,000 suicides have been committed in Japan in each year since 1998. Although the number of suicides in 2008 dropped by 844, or 2.6 percent, from 2007 to 32,249, this year's trend is troubling. From January through August, 22,362 people took their own lives, a rise of 971 or 4.5 percent from the same period of 2008.

This year, the number of suicides in each month through August was greater than in the corresponding months last year. The economic downturn is believed to be fueling this trend. If the current rate continues, the number of suicides in 2009 will approach the most ever recorded in a year, 34,427 in 2003.

The National Police Agency has reached conclusions about contributing factors in 23,490 of the suicides committed last year. The most frequently cited factor was depression (27.6 percent), as in the previous year. A government panel on measures to prevent suicide says that many suicide victims suffer from depression, have developed a dependence on alcohol or have a strong sense of guilt about something.

Prevention and treatment of depression should be the main pillar of countermeasures against suicide. Such factors as loss of employment, business bankruptcy, overwork, divorce and the death of loved ones can trigger depression.

One problem is that most people do not have sufficient knowledge about depression. Efforts should be made to educate ordinary citizens about depression and ways of coping with it. It is also important to train doctors, nurses, teachers, local government workers, counselors and corporate personnel workers to identify signs of depression early on, and ensure sufferers receive proper medical and psychiatric treatment.

Often those who are driven to commit suicide suffer from more than one problem. Therefore, the central and local governments should make a coordinated effort to develop measures that can treat a variety of issues. For their part, companies should strive to create a positive working environment in which employees can feel good about their jobs, and offer support to those who are experiencing difficulties.

The Japan Times: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

[mickster12]