Recent research on COVID's mental health impact in Japan

The COVID pandemic has completely changed the course of 2020, and for many of us, our lives have altered in a way that is hard to encapsulate. The virus is said to have a host of physical manifestations, from sore throats to dry coughs, and headaches to shortness of breath. One thing that is becoming abundantly clear though is the impact the virus is having on mental health - even for those who have never been infected with the virus - here in Japan.

The mental health impact of COVID in Japan is becoming more of a concern than the virus itself for some sections of the population.

For those who are interested, this Japan Times article gives some scope into how suicides have risen this year, with specific spikes being found among women and school-aged children. The article notes that death by suicide has taken over 13,000 lives in Japan this year, while the total COVID-19 fatalities are less than 2000.

I'm not trying to downplay the seriousness of the virus - the rapid rate at which it can be spread is scary, and there are vulnerable sections of the population who can really be affected by it. One look at my rural Niigata town shows that probably seven eights of the community fit into the high-risk seniors category. In saying that, a big part of my concern lies with the mental health fallout from everything occurring, and whether that's more troubling than the virus itself. People are losing jobs and are stretched financially. We're more isolated than ever, with many outlets for socializing completely nixed for the time being. Women, particularly single mothers, have been doing it tough when it comes to trying to juggle work and family responsibilities, especially during periods where schools have been closed. There's also the stress of the unknown, and that lingering question of "when will life return to normal?"

As expats, that worry about life returning to normal can be extra concerning. For most of us, our biggest worry about getting home before COVID blew up was the financial side of buying tickets, and taking leave from work. Now, there are a whole range of extra hoops to jump through, some of which just seem too high to reach at the moment.

Long story short, if you find yourself feeling down, try to take action before things spiral. Do things to support your mental health, whether it's regularly exercising, ensuring you eat healthfully, or reaching out and telling someone you're struggling if you are - whether that's a friend, family member, or a mental health professional. We're all in this together.