A young Japanese man who struggled for years with his mental health turns tirelessly to his suffering companions. He even went on a cross-country bicycle tour to speak about his experiences, trying to dispel the negative stigma surrounding mental illness.
Having suffered from mental health issues from a young age, 27-year-old Takumi Hara thought he had made a full recovery during his college years, but his symptoms returned as he began his adult life.
Statistics show that one in four people in Japan suffers from mental illness at some point in their lives.
Takumi Hara speaks at a private high school in Shiki, Saitama Prefecture, September 28, 2023. (Kyodo)
“In the past, I almost died because of mental illness,” Hara said at the end of September during the opening of his speech to around 40 first-year students from a private high school in the prefecture of Saitama. He then spoke about the event in his life that took him from “rock bottom” to being able to speak in front of all of you today.
While looking for his first post-graduation job during his third year at Keio University, Hara, who was vice-captain of his university’s basketball team, was having difficulty relating to his peers. teammates and worried about his future. Unable to sleep at night, he attempted suicide by drinking bleach.
He was diagnosed with depression, lost a lot of weight and was committed to a psychiatric ward. Somehow, Hara managed to complete his degree and started working at an insurance company, but fell ill again the following year after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing him to take time off work.
During his university years, he felt unable to confide in those around him. Even after leaving the hospital, he stopped going to the outpatient clinic once a week because he “didn’t want to be seen.”
This continued until one day he was struck by a thought: “If I turn away from my illness, I will not be able to live the rest of my life in a positive way.” »
He decided to quit his job and embarked on a national bicycle tour in 2021 to speak as much as possible about his experiences with mental health.
At first, few people were interested.
Carrying a basketball with him, Hara tried to participate in sporting events at the schools and clubs he attended. He has been featured in newspaper articles and other media platforms, and has gradually increased his speaking engagements.
Even though the tour ended in the summer of 2022, he continued his activities and has performed in around thirty venues to date.
Takumi Hara competes in a basketball event in Fukuoka in May 2022 during his bicycle tour of the country. (Photo provided by Takumi Hara)(Kyodo)
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, some 5.86 million people were hospitalized in Japan for mental disorders in 2020. In addition to those suffering from dementia among the elderly, this total included a large number of young people and people in the prime of life. of their professional life.
Specifically, some 790,000 people under the age of 25, or 13.5 percent of the total, as well as 540,000 people in the 25 to 34 age group, or 9.2 percent, and 780,000 people aged 35 to 44, or 13.3 percent, who sought a psychiatric service. care in hospitals.
To provide an opportunity for mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma, World Mental Health Day is celebrated globally on October 10 every year.
In recent years, people’s awareness of mental illness has increased, with high-profile athletes such as four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time. time, opening up about their mental health issues. But social stigmas remain and many people still suffer alone.
“When I first started suffering from depression, I was afraid I would never recover,” Hara said. However, while on leave, a friend who also suffered from mental health issues listened to him talk about his problems and he was able to get back on his feet.
Hara tries to give her audience the unvarnished truth about her experiences in her speeches. He talks about his mother’s tears, the worries his basketball teammates had about him, and the “big mistakes” he made, like attempting suicide. Nonetheless, he believes his experiences have made him a stronger person.
Speaking to students at Saitama High School, Hara said, “Anyone can get sick and start over as many times as they want. »
“So if you have any (mental) difficulties growing up, remember that time, the weird guy riding around on his bike, and then ask someone for help.”
Related coverage:
FILE: Rakuten Viber on track to become the Philippines’ “super app”
FUNCTION: Taking notes in nature, an engaging escape for those seeking respite
FILE: LuckyFes beats the drum for the future of music festivals
#FILE #Man #bikes #Japan #hoping #change #views #mental #health
Image Source : english.kyodonews.net