Social worker Mariko Ukiyo (right) and other social workers meet with earthquake and tsunami survivors at a temporary housing facility. Image from CNN video.

Depression, post traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses still carry a heavy stigma in Japan, despite the fact the nation has the fifth highest suicide rate in the world, according to this article and video clip from CNN.

Some of the social workers helping survivors of the recent earthquake and tsunami are using a novel approach to help treat people who may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. The video clip shows social workers offering massage and beauty treatments to residents of a shelter and using the occasion to discretely ask them about their emotional state.

Sadly, Japanese social worker Mariko Ukiyo said she expects suicides related to the natural disasters to spike in months ahead. According to the news report Japanese are still reluctant to talk to others about their sorrow and losses.

“They are only realizing now the sense of loss and deep grief,” Ukiyo said.

Thanks to National Association of Social Workers member Mary Ann Donegan, MSW, LCSW, for alerting us to this article!

To learn more about how social workers help people overcome mental illness, visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Mind & Spirit Website by clicking here.