This article originally featured in the December 2021 issue of Connect.
English counselling services
TELL is a not-for-profit organization that provides support and counselling services to Japan’s international community through their in-person offices in Tokyo and Okinawa, as well as online services. They have professionally licensed neuro-psychologists on staff to provide testing and assessment to individuals (children or adults).
TELL does not prescribe medicine, but they can refer you to psychiatrists and places to receive a prescription if needed.
TELL also runs LifeLine, a free and anonymous support communication system for English speakers in Japan. For anyone wanting to talk to someone, no matter what the issue, please call the number below or see the website for more information.
TELL Lifeline (every day, 9:00 to 23:00): 03-5774-0992 (regular phone call charges apply)
TELL Chat (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 22:30 to 2:00)
Additional support for JET Programme participants
With the aim of enhancing mental health support for JET Programme participants, CLAIR offers the JET Programme Mental Health Counselling Assistance Programme. This programme provides a partial subsidy (50%, up to 30,000 yen per year) for counselling costs not covered by health insurance.
As of April 2021, you can use this subsidy to pay for mental health services in Japan or those received online from providers in your home country. If you wish to use a service overseas, please consult with your contracting organisation supervisor for more information. If you wish to apply for the subsidy, you must do so through your contracting organisation.
CLAIR offers a toll-free telephone counselling service which does not require any advance reservation to use. The service generally operates twice per month, on the 10th and 20th (counselling days which would fall on a Sunday or holiday are instead held on the Saturday prior to that day). Operating times are from 17:30-21:00 on weekdays and 13:00-16:30 on Saturdays.
Counselling via Telephone*
Phone number: 0120-810-803
(No advance reservation required. Calls are free of charge.)
*Limited to one call per person per day (no annual limit)
*CLAIR has prepared three telephone lines for this service; however, there may be times when the lines become congested.
In addition to the telephone service, CLAIR also offers free Web-Mail and Skype counselling.
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