Understanding Mental Health Care in Japan

Finding the right mental health care provider in Japan can be confusing, but you have options! Here’s a breakdown of the three main types:

Psychiatry Specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses like depression or insomnia. They work in hospitals or clinics and can prescribe medication. Consultations are typically short (around 20 minutes) and covered by Japanese Health Insurance.
Clinical psychologist Provide counseling services for a wide range of mental health issues. They work in clinics, hospitals, or private practice and may offer phone counseling. They cannot prescribe medication, and their services are typically not covered by insurance, costing 5,000 yen to 10,000 yen or more per 50-minute session. The quality of care can vary depending on the psychologist’s experience. Many Japanese universities also have Counseling Centers, aimed to provide training for the future psychotherapists (now students). If you are capable in Japanese and don’t need a high emergency follow-up, this option will allow you to do counselling for a reduced bill of 3000~4000 yen. Psychological assesment tests are also availible. However, for those who have deeper struggles, it might be better to concider more experienced psychologists service.
Psychosomatic Medicine Doctors: Focus on physical problems caused by stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome. They typically work in specialized clinics and cannot treat mental disorders like depression. The JapanHealthInfo.com website might be useful for you.

University Counseling Centers (Japanese Only)

Many Japanese universities have counseling centers that offer affordable mental health services. These centers primarily serve as training grounds for future psychotherapists, so sessions are supervised by experienced professionals.

Here’s what you can expect:

Reduced Cost:
Sessions typically range from 3,000 yen to 4,000 yen, which is significantly lower than private practice fees.

Counseling and Assessments:
You can receive individual counseling sessions and potentially take psychological assessment tests to gain deeper insights into your well-being.

Focus on Learning:
Keep in mind that counselors are still in training, so this might be a good fit for general concerns or if you’re comfortable with a more learning-oriented approach.

Finding a Mental Health Care Provider

Licensing Matters:

When choosing a provider, prioritize licensed professionals for better quality care.

Considering Language:

If English is your primary language, consider these resources to find English-speaking providers:

➤ International Mental Health Professionals Japan (IMHPJ): A network of English-speaking therapists in Japan. This is a recommended resource as it lists providers’ qualifications and licensure. 
➤ Japan Healthcare Info: Helps find English-speaking medical providers in Japan, including mental health professionals.
➤ AMDA International Medical Information Center: Provides assistance in finding medical providers in Japan who speak English (or other languages) and offers free medical telephone interpretation services.
➤ The Japan Society of Certified Clinical Psychologists (JSCCP) maintains a directory (in Japanese) of JSCCP-approved therapists throughout Japan. While the search options include language, you may need a browser translation tool or help from someone who reads Japanese to navigate the website.

When to Seek Immediate Help

You are not alone. If you are struggling with any of the following, reaching out for help is a sign of strength:

Thoughts of hurting yourself or others:

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or if you’re feeling violent towards others, please know that help is available.

Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope:

Are you struggling to take care of yourself or your loved ones? This could be due to a variety of reasons, and seeking professional support can make a big difference.

Needing an intervention:

Sometimes, loved ones need support to approach someone who might be struggling.

Substance abuse or addiction:

Struggling with addiction is a common issue, and there are resources available to help you get on the path to recovery.

Feeling unsafe:

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call emergency services or go to a safe place.

Mental health concerns:

Whether you have a diagnosed mental health condition or suspect you might, there is help available. Early intervention can make a significant impact on your well-being.

Emergency Japanese

Please send an ambulance.

“Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai.”

Please send a policeman.

“Keisatsu o yonde kudasai.”

My name is Bart Simpson.

“Watashi no namae wa Bart Simpson des.”

My address is Minato Ward.

“Watashi no jusho wa Minato-ku des.”

My telephone number is 007.

“Watashi no denwa bango wa 007 des.”