International Youth Day 2026
TELL Interns Emi Hirano Runnacles, Sarah Williams, and Alyvia Williams Every year in August the world marks International Youth Day asking observers to celebrate as well as reflect on what it means to be young today. This year’s theme for International Youth Day is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”. It is a commentary on the idea […]
Changing the Narrative
This September, join us for our annual Step Up Challenge as we work together to change the narrative around suicide, from silence and stigma to recovery and hope. The Step Up Challenge stretches from World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th to World Mental Health Day on October 10th. 19,188 people died by suicide in […]
Helping Children Cope After the Kumamoto Earthquake
Children react to disasters in many different ways. Some may seem frightened or upset straight away, while others may not show signs of distress until days or even weeks later. Most reactions are normal responses to an abnormal event and improve with time, especially when children feel safe, supported, and connected to caring adults. Children […]
Looking After Your Wellbeing After the Kumamoto Earthquake
Experiencing an earthquake or other natural disaster can be frightening, stressful, and exhausting. In the days and weeks afterwards, you may be dealing with damaged homes, disrupted routines, financial pressures, or concern for family, friends, and your community. You may also be working hard to help others recover. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, angry, […]
International Self-Care Month: Small steps that can create lasting benefits
From June 24 to July 24, we are celebrating International Self-Care Month. It is a reminder that looking after ourselves isn’t a luxury, but a vital part of maintaining our mental and physical wellbeing. When people hear “self-care,” they often think of spa days, expensive wellness products, or taking a holiday. While those things can […]
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 […]