Mental Health Care in Japan

Mental health, including widespread depression and a very high suicide rate, is a major problem in Japan. At the same time the mental health system in Japan has historically been more restrictive than elsewhere in the world. This book looks at the challenges of mental illness in Japan, including deficiencies in health care such as the abuse of patients and 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 about rehabilitation into the work force and the community. It goes on to look at the social stigma attached to the mentally disabled in Japan, and touches upon the issue of counselling after the recent earthquake.