World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2023) In Japan, September can be a challenging time for many young people as they return to school or university. In studies done by the Japanese Cabinet Office, it was reported that suicides among school-age children tend to occur as schools reopen after spring break and particularly as they […]
How to Help Someone Get Help
How to Help Someone Get Help By Billy Cleary and Cole Garrett At TELL, we realize that it can be hard to take the first step to get help when you’re struggling. Especially with mental health, there can be a lot of stigma and self-judgment around going to counseling or seeing a psychiatrist. Someone may […]
Fundraiser Spotlight Okinawa: Roksana Ubowska
Fundraiser Spotlight Okinawa: Roksana Ubowska Roksana Ubowska, the owner of Yoga Tree Okinawa, regularly provides yoga classes of all different levels, as well as yoga teacher training programs. She discovered yoga in her late 20’s and graduated from 200 Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in 2015. Roksana has also completed the 500 YTT. She is currently […]
Grassroots fundraiser spotlight: Jon Sabay and Roles for Initiative
Grassroots fundraiser spotlight: Jon Sabay and Roles for Initiative Can you explain the Roles for Initiative fundraiser for those who haven’t heard of it? Roles for Initiative is a charity improv comedy show combined with a tabletop role-playing game, usually Dungeons and Dragons. If you do not know what either of those things are, that’s […]
Grief and Loss
Grief and Loss by Chikako Ishii In Japan, August is the month that reminds us of losses due to death by family or loved ones. We remember the deceased families by observing the Buddhist rituals during Obon at the home altar or by visiting their graves. Observing those rituals with family and neighbors is soothing […]
Grassroots fundraiser spotlight: Celine Bennett
Grassroots fundraiser spotlight: Celine Bennett Celine Bennett is a freelance photographer living and working in Tokyo. Celine regularly organizes benefit photo shoots, with proceeds going to non-profit organizations. To find out more about Celine’s photo shoots, check out https://celinebennett.myportfolio.com/. TELL: Can you explain the concept of a charity photo session? CB: I choose a location […]
Micro self-care: low cost, low barrier ways to start taking care of yourself, today
By TELL’s Heather D. In our busy, stress-filled lives, self-care is often seen as a luxury, something that takes hours each day or something that belongs to the realm of fancy vacations, expensive gym memberships, or budget-busting shopping trips. Many of us experience limitations in time or financial resources (or both), so how can we […]
What to Look for When Looking After Your Mental Health
Taking care of our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical well-being. When it comes to selecting the right mental health treatment – be it individual or group therapy, a workshop, or wellness retreat – there are a few essential factors to consider. Today we’ll discuss three important aspects to look […]
Grassroots Fundraiser Spotlight: Rob Russell and the Jarman International Charity Golf Cup
Rob Russell is a university instructor of emotional intelligence, a certified career and life coach, and a longtime TELL volunteer with a passion for golf. Rob recently organized “Golfing for Health,” a fun day out on the course as a fundraiser for TELL. TELL: What is the Jarman International Charity Golf Cup? RR: Jarman International […]
Tokyo Tower Climb and Step Up Challenge 2023
Save the date for TELL’s Step Up Challenge! September 10 – October 10, 2023, and Tokyo Tower Climb October 14. With COVID restrictions finally behind us and summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get your walking boots ready and start planning for this year’s Step Up challenge and Tokyo Tower Climb. The themes for […]
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness 2023
Written by the Lifeline’s Yui. S. What is PTSD? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition that will likely appear after exposure to any traumatic event, it could co-exist with other mental disorders and substance use disorders. The symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behavior, heightened anxiety, […]
Anti-Bullying Day 2023
Anyone can fall victim to bullying, that’s why it is so meaningful for us to celebrate May 4th, international Anti-Bullying Day! A Canadian student, Travis Price witnessed a fellow student getting bullied for wearing a pink shirt. He and his classmate bought and gave out pink shirts to everyone as a way to show solidarity […]