Why is this research important and necessary?
Japan is becoming an increasingly culturally diverse society. This diversity includes repatriated Japanese, foreign nationals who were born in Japan or who moved here and will stay for varying lengths of time, and biracial Japanese. With diversity comes a need for more research into effective social support for multicultural/international individuals.
While relatively few studies have been conducted so far, the available research shows a clear need for cross-cultural mental health support for people with diverse backgrounds living in Japan (Lee 2012; Ozeki et al 2006). The need for culturally sensitive mental health support extends to multicultural/international children and teenagers (TELL 2008).
The purpose of this research is to investigate the need for and availability of mental health support for these young people, particularly those outside the relatively well-resourced greater Tokyo metropolitan area, and to understand this within the context of successful local, domestic and international school and community-based mental health support programs and provision - with the aim of developing materials through which to share information to support those in need.
To do this, this research seeks to answer questions related to three, interrelated areas:
Japan is becoming an increasingly culturally diverse society. This diversity includes repatriated Japanese, foreign nationals who were born in Japan or who moved here and will stay for varying lengths of time, and biracial Japanese. With diversity comes a need for more research into effective social support for multicultural/international individuals.
While relatively few studies have been conducted so far, the available research shows a clear need for cross-cultural mental health support for people with diverse backgrounds living in Japan (Lee 2012; Ozeki et al 2006). The need for culturally sensitive mental health support extends to multicultural/international children and teenagers (TELL 2008).
The purpose of this research is to investigate the need for and availability of mental health support for these young people, particularly those outside the relatively well-resourced greater Tokyo metropolitan area, and to understand this within the context of successful local, domestic and international school and community-based mental health support programs and provision - with the aim of developing materials through which to share information to support those in need.
To do this, this research seeks to answer questions related to three, interrelated areas: