New Corona What is your mental health?

"Early intervention" on October 11th, 19:30

While the convergence of the new coronavirus is not visible, there is concern about "mental health" = "mental health".

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has also begun a fact-finding survey, saying that there is a risk of serious impacts in Japan due to the effects of refraining from going out.

According to the WHO = World Health Organization, the spread of the new coronavirus infection around the world has led to an increase in the number of people who drink more alcohol and suffer from insomnia due to loneliness and decreased income due to restrictions on going out. Is believed to be.



The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare launched a fact-finding survey last month, saying that stress and anxiety about infection caused by refraining from going out may have a serious impact on the mental health of many people.



The survey was conducted on more than 10,000 people via the Internet, and since the infection spread, whether there has been any anxiety about work or life, the amount of food and sleep, and the time to play games, etc. To find out.



The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to compile the survey results by the end of the year and utilize them for consultation services in local governments.

Effective for "early intervention", a rapidly increasing mental illness

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of people who are in medical institutions due to mental illness is about 4.2 million in Japan according to the latest 2017 data, which is a 1.6-fold increase in 15 years.

It is now said that one in five people will have a mental illness once in their lifetime.



The most common symptom is "mood disorder" such as depression, which accounts for more than 1.27 million people.



Therefore, the government is now paying attention to "early intervention" that provides treatment and support before the onset or as soon as possible after the onset.

Researchers in Japan and overseas have reported that about 70% of mental illnesses develop by the early twenties, and that "early intervention" is effective in suppressing the onset and aggravation.



Currently, a national research group is verifying the effect of "early intervention" on the younger generation, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says "I would like to consider spreading it nationwide."

At "early intervention" support facilities

Last year, a support facility commonly known as "SODA" was opened in Adachi-ku, Tokyo with a government subsidy as a base for "early intervention."



A psychiatrist and a psychiatric social worker are stationed to provide free consultation for people in their teens to early 30s who have problems with relationships.



We also cooperate with public health nurses and, if necessary, provide a bridge to medical institutions and support groups.



The house has been remodeled in the downtown area near Kitasenju Station, and the entrance is covered with glass so that people can drop in as easily as possible.



According to SODA, more than 200 people have consulted since it was opened in July last year until last month.



The average number of consultations per person is about 14, and not only the content related to mental health, but also consultations such as being unable to get out of withdrawal or finding a job are received.



Dr. Takashi Uchino, who works at SODA, said, "I think it is important to connect to support as soon as possible when a slight mental disorder or trouble occurs. I will listen to you as carefully as possible, so please feel free to consult with me." I am.



On the other hand, Dr. Uchino feels that the number of people suffering from stress due to the effects of the new coronavirus has increased since the beginning of this year.



Dr. Uchino said, "There are a certain number of people who feel lonely or anxious because their living environment is different from what they used to be and their connections with people are forcibly cut off." , The situation is difficult to visit, so access to consultations is also getting worse. "



Therefore, we are currently focusing on consultation using SNS such as LINE and video calls.



Of these, LINE is interacting with 80 people, and people who are worried about human relationships may confess that they want to die.



A man in his twenties who was depressed and consulted on LINE and video calls said, "I spend a lot of time at home, I can't do what I want, and I can't meet my friends, so I'm quite stressed and anxious. Considering the risk of getting infected with a virus, it would be helpful if you could respond by video chat. "



Another issue is how to make the community and young people aware of the existence of SODA.



Dr. Uchino has visited more than 50 organizations, including schools, children's facilities, and NPOs, and asked him to introduce any young people who are worried.



The high school teacher who received the request said, "It's hard to say to parents,'Please go to the hospital because there is a problem with the students.' We also have regular work and club activities, so we have time to think. There are some circumstances that cannot be taken. It is reliable to have a consultation as a third party. "

A man in his twenties attending a support facility

A man in his twenties living in Chiba Prefecture developed a mental illness when he was a student and is now attending a support facility "SODA" in Adachi-ku, Tokyo.



I went to a university in Kansai while living alone, but I didn't get used to it and started to stay at home after the summer vacation of the first grade.



He said he was absorbed in online games all day long without going to club activities or part-time jobs.



About that time, the man said, "I was more and more isolated because I was worried that even if I went to college, I would make wrong statements and actions and the impression from the other party would get worse. Only games, food and sleep. In my life, I escaped to the world of games with the feeling of "do whatever I want", but at the end I could not find the significance of my existence. I will live even if I just play games and grow older I thought it would be difficult to keep up, so I thought about suicide in the sense of running away. "



The man took a leave of absence in the fall of his second year of college and returned to his parents' home in Chiba prefecture. After that, he was encouraged by his family who knew about SODA and visited for consultation.



For the first time at a clinic in Tokyo that was introduced, he was diagnosed with "social anxiety disorder," in which he felt a strong fear and anxiety about being noticed by others.



The man said, "SODA has a peaceful atmosphere, and I was able to talk freely, so I thought that I would understand myself. When I confessed my anxiety, I was always encouraged and saved."



I have been going there for about half a year and my symptoms are recovering steadily, but there was also an unexpected effect of the new coronavirus.



The man said, "I had a hard time because I couldn't go to meet people. I feel like I was deprived of the opportunity to do something. I didn't feel depressed, but I can understand the feeling of being depressed. If I don't talk to people, I'll have problems within myself, so I think I can't solve them, leading to anxiety and feeling depressed. "



Now, a man who is starting to study for entrance exams toward a new goal said, "I was at the bottom, but with the help of the SODA people, I was able to aim for something new once again. Similar situation. I want to take on the challenge of helping other people. "