ABSTRACT

Mental health, including widespread depression, a high suicide rate and institutionalisation, is a major problem in Japan. At the same time, the mental health care system in Japan has historically been more restrictive than elsewhere in the world. This book looks at the challenges of mental health care in Japan, including problems such as the institutionalisation of long-term patients in mental hospitals. The book discusses the latest legislation to deal with mental health care, and explores the various ideas and practices concerning rehabilitation into the workforce, the community and service user groups that empower the mentally ill. It goes on to look at the social stigma attached to the mentally ill in Japan and Britain, which touches upon the issue of counselling those with post traumatic stress after the recent earthquake.

chapter 1|34 pages

Mental Health Care in Japan

An Introduction

chapter 2|21 pages

Mental Health Policy and Services

Where We Stand

chapter 3|15 pages

Reintegrating the Mentally Ill into Society and Work

Satoru Hashimoto

chapter 5|15 pages

National Federation of Families for the Mentally Ill in Japan

Historical and Future Perspectives

chapter |1 pages

Postscript

A personal perspective