The free mental health consultation session has ended.

The "Mental Health Counseling Cafe" → "Free Mental Health Medical Counseling Session" project, which began last autumn, has successfully concluded.

We invited psychiatrists and clinical psychologists to listen to the concerns of foreigners living in Japan. People from all walks of life came to us for consultations, including those legally residing in Japan, those with residency status issues, and asylum seekers. Each session lasted an hour, during which people talked about their worries and gradually sorted out how those worries were affecting their physical and mental health. Together, they considered how to cope with their problems. While we couldn't provide treatment or prescribe medication, by clarifying the root cause of the problem and helping them confront it, some clients left with a look of relief on their faces.

However, when the root of the problem lies in residency status or refugee applications, the teachers said they couldn't remove those issues and felt helpless, unsure of what to do.

For those on provisional release in particular, the fear of prolonged detention and deportation, the uncertainty of the future, and the helplessness of being unable to work and envision a future can be extremely stressful. In some cases, even though they claim to be perfectly fine, their minds are unknowingly becoming exhausted.

We intend to continue providing mental health support as a service we hope to provide in the future. While we haven't yet finalized our plans, we plan to continue the service by utilizing grants and other support.

☆"Epson Social Happiness Support Fund" Grant Project