Recognition, equality, and the people behind the headlines
By Joshua Bryan, Chair of the Board, TELL Japan On 1 April 2001, 4 couples married in Amsterdam, becoming the first same-sex couples in the world to have their marriages legally recognised. 25 years on, this is a major milestone worth marking as Japan pursues its own path to marriage equality. It also serves as […]
2026 – 7th Annual Tokyo Tower Climb
2026 – 7th Annual Tokyo Tower Climb On April 19th, we held our 7th Tokyo Tower Climb. The event once again sold out early, the weather was amazing, and 400 climbers came out to move for mental health, shattering stigma, and championed our cause with every one of their 600 steps to the top! A […]
2025 TELL Legend – Graham Harris
2025 TELL Legend – Graham Harris Last month, we had the great privilege of reconnecting with a true legend, Graham Harris, during his recent visit to Japan. Graham served as a volunteer and board member from 1989 to 2010, dedicating more than 1,500 hours of direct service to supporting people in need, along with countless […]
The Community Behind Our Work
Celebrating Volunteer Recognition Day at TELL Japan Volunteer Recognition Day is a moment to celebrate the many people who make our work possible. At TELL, our work is sustained by a community of volunteers, supporters, and donors who generously give their time and energy. Together, these contributions ensure that people in our community have somewhere […]
World Autism Awareness Day 2026
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, an opportunity to raise awareness and acceptance, and to build a society where autistic people are supported and understood. Throughout April, let’s all “Light It Up Blue”! Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) influences how people experience and interact with the world. It is characterised by differences in social communication […]
International Women’s Day 2026: Shining a Light on Menopause at Work
International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than a date on the calendar; it is a global movement that celebrates the achievements of women while highlighting the ongoing pursuit of gender equality. It is also a moment for employers to reflect on the progress made and to address the systemic barriers that continue to hold women […]
March is Suicide Prevention Month in Japan
March is Suicide Prevention Month in Japan. March is a time of great transition: the end of the school year, a time to transition from high school to university, the time to interview for new jobs, a time when reports are due, contracts signed, and taxes filed. Already this year, the TELL Lifeline has seen […]
Living With Bipolar
Living With Bipolar Bipolar affects an estimated 45 million people worldwide, including around 120,000 people in Japan. Each year on March 30, World Bipolar Day encourages greater awareness, understanding, and support for those living with the condition. Living with bipolar can feel like moving between very different worlds. At times, there may be energy, creativity, […]
TELL Shinnenkai A Celebration of 23 Years
On Thursday, January 22, the TELL community gathered at the Ohana Room in the Salesforce Tower, Tokyo, for a special Shinnenkai marking the beginning of the year while honoring Vickie Skorji and her 23 years of dedicated service to TELL. More than 50 people came together for a small private event, reflecting a shared commitment […]
Message From Royanne Introducing New Lifeline Director
Message From Royanne Introducing New Lifeline Director We are pleased to announce Arnold Arao as TELL’s Lifeline Director. Since joining TELL in 2019, Arnold has held multiple leadership roles within the organization including working with training, as a volunteer coordinator, and more recently, as the Lifeline’s Associate Director before stepping into his new role leading […]
Prioritising Mental Health in 2026
As 2026 begins, many people in Japan are carrying over stress from the previous year that has built up but not yet been released. Rising living costs, stagnant wages, and long hours fuel the sense of being constantly switched on, making it difficult to see the positives in life. Surveys from the Cabinet Office show […]
Everyday Heroes
Everyday Heroes On December 5, we celebrate International Volunteer Day, honoring the millions of people around the world who give their time and energy to support others. At TELL, volunteering is at the heart of what we do, and we take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the volunteers, donors, and sponsors who make it […]