Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revised a guideline for assessment and support for Hikikomori people on May 19.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/2r98520000006i6f.html
(New window open)
Staffs of facilities for Hikikomori people are expected to refer to the guideline.
For three years, Hikikomori research group of the MHLW conducted a research project named "A study on investigation into the actual conditions of mental disorders that brings about Hikikomori and building psychiatric treatment and support systems." As a result of the study, a new guideline was published. The senior researcher is Kazuhiko Saito (Kohnodai Hospital, International Medical Center of Japan).
Former guideline was "A guideline for regional mental health activities on Hikikomori
who are mostly 10s and 20s. - How to deal with and support them in Mental Health and Welfare Center, Public Health Center and municipalities -" notified July 28, 2003.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/2003/07/tp0728-1.html
(New window open)
Compared to the previous version, first, the new guideline is more based on the relationship between Hikikomori and mental disorders. That's because the Hikikomori research group found that most Hikikomori people have mental disorders, including developmental disorder, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, etc.
Second, the new guideline treats "outreach" to Hikikomori people. Outreach programs try to visit Hikikomori people rather than waiting for them to come and ask for help. Outreach is expected to be an effective method, because not all Hikikomori people visit facilities for them to ask for help.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/2r98520000006i6f.html
(New window open)
Staffs of facilities for Hikikomori people are expected to refer to the guideline.
For three years, Hikikomori research group of the MHLW conducted a research project named "A study on investigation into the actual conditions of mental disorders that brings about Hikikomori and building psychiatric treatment and support systems." As a result of the study, a new guideline was published. The senior researcher is Kazuhiko Saito (Kohnodai Hospital, International Medical Center of Japan).
Former guideline was "A guideline for regional mental health activities on Hikikomori
who are mostly 10s and 20s. - How to deal with and support them in Mental Health and Welfare Center, Public Health Center and municipalities -" notified July 28, 2003.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/2003/07/tp0728-1.html
(New window open)
Compared to the previous version, first, the new guideline is more based on the relationship between Hikikomori and mental disorders. That's because the Hikikomori research group found that most Hikikomori people have mental disorders, including developmental disorder, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, etc.
Second, the new guideline treats "outreach" to Hikikomori people. Outreach programs try to visit Hikikomori people rather than waiting for them to come and ask for help. Outreach is expected to be an effective method, because not all Hikikomori people visit facilities for them to ask for help.
