By Arnold Arao | Lifeline Associate Director
You are making a difference in the lives of young people
Many young people in Japan quietly struggle with mental health amid rising pressures. About one in five youth aged 15 to 29 report depression or anxiety. Nearly one in four university students experiences severe distress. For many, exams, job hunting, and social expectations feel overwhelming. Suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 39, with about 2,000 people in their twenties dying each year. This is a tragic reminder that many carry their burdens in silence.
Nearly 300,000 children are unable or unwilling to attend school (futoko). This is often due to bullying, anxiety, or depression. There are also an estimated 1.46 million people who live in social withdrawal (hikikomori). Many are under 30. Loneliness, too, is widespread. Despite living in a “connected” society, about 40% of people in their twenties report feeling isolated.
Despite these trends, stigma around mental illness and limited access to youth-focused care continue to discourage many from seeking help. This summer, TELL launched a Lifeline awareness campaign in schools and universities. The goal was to remind students that they are not alone and that when they need to talk, we are here to listen. Such efforts are important toward supporting young people to speak openly about their struggles and receive the care and understanding they deserve.
Your generous support has already made a difference. Over the past nine months, we have received 30% more contacts from youth and young adults seeking help. Each call represents a moment of courage. Each conversation is an opportunity for someone to feel heard and supported. However, there are still so many more young people across Japan who need someone to listen. With your continued help, we can continue to be there when they do.
Your donation is crucial. Make a lasting difference by helping us answer the next call for help. Every gift brings hope and support to young people in need. Join us today in ensuring that no young person has to struggle alone.
All statistics are based on the most recent official government reports (2023–2024), including:
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
