Finding the right support in Japan
Mantraminds offers non-clinical well-being counselling. If you need more support than we can offer, such as care from a doctor, a mental health professional or a specialist service, free and confidential help is available across Japan, and the options below are a good place to start.
Prefer to talk in English? TELL Lifeline offers free, confidential support in English. The Yorisoi Hotline also has a foreign-language option.
If you are in danger right now
If your life, or someone else's, is at risk, call 119 for an ambulance or 110 for the police.
If you need to talk to someone now:
| Service | How to reach them | When |
|---|---|---|
| TELL Lifeline (English) | Call 0800-300-8355 (toll-free) · online chat | Sat 9am–Mon 11pm (continuous) · Tue–Thu 9am–11pm · Fri 9am–2am · chat daily from 4pm |
| Yorisoi Hotline | Call 0120-279-338 (toll-free) and choose the foreign-language option | 24/7 (foreign-language hours vary) |
Getting mental health care
Start with a doctor
A doctor is usually the best first step. Look for a psychiatry (精神科, seishinka) or psychosomatic medicine (心療内科, shinryo naika) clinic, and say you'd like to talk about your mental health. A doctor can talk through how you're feeling and, if it's right for you, arrange ongoing care. Appointments with a doctor are usually covered by National Health Insurance or your employee health insurance.
Your local mental health and welfare centre
- Kokoro no Kenko Sodan dial: 0570-064-556. It connects you to public mental health advice in your prefecture. Hours vary by area, and the service is mainly in Japanese.
Specialised support
| If you're dealing with… | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence | DV Soudan Plus (Cabinet Office) | 0120-279-889 · 24/7 · English and other languages by SNS and email |
| Young people up to 18 | Childline (in Japanese) | 0120-99-7777 · daily 4pm–9pm · also chat |
If you're worried about a child
If a child is in immediate danger, call 110. Otherwise:
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Child abuse reporting dial (connects to your local child guidance centre) | 189 · 24/7 · free |
When you're ready
Getting the right care comes first. When things feel steadier and you'd like support with family, relationships, work or life changes, we'd be glad to hear from you again.
Email us at contact@mantraminds.com.
The services listed on this page are independent organisations. Mantraminds is not affiliated with, endorsed by or responsible for any of them. Details were checked in October 2026 and can change — please check each service's own website. Mantraminds is not an emergency or crisis service.