April 30, 2020

Mental Health Guide

This comprehensive guide outlines how companies can be aware of how access, cost, coverage, stigma and other challenges vary in different markets, and highlights company strategies, country snapshots and resources that may be useful as they implement their programs around the world.

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This section covers information about mental health stigma, access and treatment, and provides recommendations for employers and resources on NGOs/National Campaigns in Japan.

Mental health conditions are still very stigmatized in Japan. Those with mental health disorders are often thought of as “sick.”

In multinational companies, the topic is more commonly discussed, and trainings on the topic are frequently provided.
The government and NGOs are making efforts to promote mental health awareness.

In urban areas, there are advertisements in trains, hotlines available and campaigns that take place, but in rural or less populated areas, there are fewer resources and less familiarity with mental health disorders in general.

Snapshot of the Health System Landscape

Mental hospital beds: 196.63 per 100,000 population.

General hospital psychiatric unit beds: 66.15 per 100,000 population.

Government mental health spend as % of total health spend

National health insurance or reimbursement scheme includes the care and treatment of persons with major mental disorders (defined as psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression).*

Total mental health workers: 55.72 per 100,000 population

The majority of persons pay nothing (fully insured) for mental health services at the point of service.

Government-adopted or national policy for suicide prevention strategy

12% of the inpatient population stays for more than a year.

*According to data submitted to the World Health Organization (2017)

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The government is also promoting the dangers of poor mental health in the workplace,particularly since suicide is a significant problem among the working population.^39,40

Japan ranks third among OECD countries for deaths by suicide, and 10% of these have been attributed to work-related factors, one of which is karoshi, the Japanese word for death by overwork.⁴⁰

Addressing Mental Health in Japan

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Mental and Emotional Well-being

Asia Pacific (APAC)

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