By Arnold Arao | TELL Lifeline Director
Across Japan, young people continue to struggle with academic pressure, isolation, and uncertainty about the future.
Last year, 353,970 elementary and junior high school students were categorized as futoko, or "school refusal," a figure that has continued to rise for more than a decade. Recent research from the Nippon Foundation also found that only 57.2% of young people felt a sense of belonging, while just 56.8% felt confident in their ability to overcome challenges. Against this backdrop, suicide remains the leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 34 in Japan.
Our experiences both on the Lifeline and during school visits demonstrate that young people are willing to seek support when it is accessible and free from judgment.
In the first half of 2026, the TELL Lifeline received more than 500 contacts from young people under 18, a 16% increase compared to the same period last year. During the same period, TELL Outreach delivered 20 workshops and seminars in schools across Japan, connecting with more than 1,500 faculty, staff, and students.
Again and again, we hear young people express a desire not for answers, but for a space where they can be heard.
Every workshop delivered is an opportunity to let students know that they are not alone and that help is available. Every conversation on the Lifeline represents a young person taking an important step toward connection and support.
Your support makes these moments possible.
Through this project, TELL continues to provide direct emotional support through the Lifeline while expanding outreach efforts that help young people access support earlier. These services create multiple pathways to support. A young person may first encounter TELL through a school workshop, seek information online, or reach out directly to the Lifeline during a difficult moment. By providing support at multiple points, we can help young people access help earlier and reduce the likelihood that challenges develop into crises.
We know the demand for youth mental health support will continue to grow.
With support from people like you, TELL can strengthen its ability to answer calls for help, expand awareness of available services, and reach more young people before they reach a point of crisis.
Your support matters.
There are many ways to make a difference. If this update resonates with you:
• Support this project by making a donation.
• Spread awareness of TELL's services so that more young people know where to turn for support.
• Share this project with others who care about youth mental health.
• Take a moment to reach out to someone in your own life.
Sometimes, knowing that someone is willing to listen can make all the difference. Together, we can help ensure that more young people know they do not have to face life's challenges alone.
By Arnold Arao | Project Leader
By Arnold Arao | Lifeline Associate Director
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