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Advancing Mental Health in East Asia
RESEARCH. RETHINK. REFORM.
Can care systems work in cultures that value silent suffering? Why is suicide in Korea so high despite national campaigns? Has Japan over-medicalized mental health? Can East Asia build a decolonized mental health model? In China, how does the government
MISSING THE POINT
Conversations around mental health in East Asia are often framed around a single word - stigma.
However, that rendering of the issue alone fails to explain why:
- Critical care is inaccessible
- Policies are stuck years behind lived experience
- Parts of society are falling through the cracks
At The Courtyards Institute, we believe deeper questions need asking and answering. We’re an undergraduate-led think tank working to advance East Asian mental health through policy work that mobilizes consequential institutions and grassroots initiatives grounded in culturally compatible care.
Our research isn't the type to die in PDFs.
If not therapy, what are people turning to? How will Japan handle aging and isolation? Why is mental health still missing from schools? Does digital surveillance foster self-fulfilling prophecies? How do cultural movements shape statistics on mental health?
Because Wellness is a Human Right.
Are economic slowdowns linked to rising depression and suicide rates in Korea and Japan? How do we build frameworks for mental well-being in emerging Asian countries? How do Taiwan’s progressive mental health policies compare?
Recent Policy Projects
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Benzos for depression?
Researching Benzo misuse and overprescription in Japan.
Media guidelines for adressing well-being.
Developing
responsible rules for influential actors.
Mental health in Korean schools.
What support systems or curriculum can we legally set in place?
Impact of "mental health screener" technology.
Can these systems backfire and create self-fullfilling prophecies?
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Doctor shopping in East Asia.
How can we prevent this addiction crisis?
Rapid increase of hikikomori.
What are the implications for nations with aging demographics?
Mental Health of LGBTQIA+
What systems exist / should exist to support Asian LGBTQIA+ youth?
Effectiveness of "Suicide Awareness" Campaigns?
Should Japan and Korea keep spending billions on these initiatives? Do better alternatives exist?
Are algorithmic recommendations biased toward urban, westernized user behaviors? How does gender in Asia influence mental health experiences and access to care? Why are suicide rates increasing only for certain groups in Japan?
Recent Community-Initiative Progress
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We originally founded J-To-A to solve community problems. Now, as part of The Institute, J-To-A continues to build tight-knit relationships on the ground and implement programs driven by our research.
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