T-GEx Fellow Dr. HOSHINO Aiko (Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University) and colleagues, together with individuals with lived experience of depression-related leave, established the participatory research team “Kokoro Watashi” and developed a pamphlet that visualizes lived experiences.
Key Points
●Researchers and individuals with lived experience of mental health-related leave*1 collaborated to form the team “Kokoro Watashi” (Fig. 1) and created a pamphlet highlighting challenges and experiences during leave
●The pamphlet organizes experiences across different stages of leave, promoting dialogue and mutual understanding among individuals, employers, and healthcare professionals, and encouraging broader societal awareness.
●The team plans to organize dialogue events with companies and government bodies to build a cross-sector platform for sharing experiences, aiming to create a society where everyone can continue working with confidence.
*1 Leave of absence: A temporary period away from work due to illness or mental health conditions.
Pamphlet
Download here: https://nuss.nagoya-u.ac.jp/s/rgiXjYCZDxwQmWe
Related Information
・NU Research Information: Click here for details (to external link)
・Full press release: Click here for details (to external link)
・Digital Media
(Hokkaido Shimbun Digital, March 16, 2026)
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(Digital PR Platform, March 16, 2026)
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(Zaikei Shimbun, March 16, 2026)
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(ZDNET Japan, March 16, 2026)
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(QLifePro, April 17, 2026)
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(Mapion, March 16, 2026)
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(livedoor NEWS, March 16, 2026)
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・Print Media
(Daily Tohoku, May 3, 2026)
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・Hokkaido Shimbun (May 13, 2026)
・Saitama Shimbun (May 6, 2026)
・Kobe Shimbun (May 10, 2026)
・Ehime Shimbun (May 13, 2026)
・Oita Godo Shimbun (May 12, 2026)