Mental Illness Striking Teachers in Japan

Mental Illness Striking Teachers in Japan - Teachers do get attention in terms of earning more in Japan, but in fact it is directly proportional to the mental load experienced by the teachers while performing their duties.

Based on the survey carried out by the Japanese government. Recorded at least five thousand teachers in Japan also suffered from depression and other mental illnesses. It is known from the teachers' attendance records during the last fiscal year.

The survey shows that as many as 8544 teachers had taken sick leave. 62% of them or 5274 teachers take leave because of mental illness. Ministry of education in Japan, conducted the survey on teachers at the elementary, junior high and high school. Teachers in private schools are also taken as a sample in the survey.

This is the fourth consecutive year, where the number of teachers who are depressed risen above 5,000. This figure is twice as large when compared with 10 years ago. Responding to the survey, the Japanese government planned several steps including reviewing teachers' workload, improve consultation system, and to create a rehabilitation program for teachers who take time off.

The ministry said the teachers aged 40 years or older tend to be more depressed because they have a heavy workload. He also said that teachers in their 20s and in their 30s worry about how to communicate with parents.