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Optimism in Mental Health: Exploring Tōjisha-kenkyū
My friend Dr Kate Gould alerted me to a publication, "Tōjisha-kenkyū", by Professor Satsuki Ayaya and Professor Junko Kitanaka.
As an optimist, the article's conclusion is interesting, "all forms of tōjisha-kenkyū share fundamental qualities: a communal and open understanding of ailments and an optimistic view that society can become more inclusive. Tōjisha-kenkyū offers a hopeful vision of coexisting worlds. It's a vision in which those affected by physical and mental differences have a meaningful place in the future."
This tweaked my interest, given my recent essays on "the age of pessimism", the "tsunami of pessimism", and "the fog of pessimism", and the developed world workplace epidemic of "stress" and "burnout".
Tōjisha-kenkyū, or "the study of the afflicted," is a Japanese mental health approach emphasising community, understanding, and optimism. It is based on the belief that mental illness is not a sign of weakness or inferiority but rather a natural response to stress and trauma. Tōjisha-kenkyū practitioners work with individuals to help them understand their experiences, develop coping mechanisms, and build supportive networks.
One of the key principles of tōjisha-kenkyū is that mental illness is not something that happens to individuals but rather something that is created by society.
The connection between tōjisha-kenkyū and optimism lies in the approach's core tenets. The perspective that mental health issues are not individual failings but social constructs brings hope and eliminates guilt or shame attached to these issues.
Another vital aspect of tōjisha-kenkyū is the optimistic view that society can become more inclusive. This belief system encourages and fosters a positive mindset, asserting that society and culture can change for the better through collective effort and understanding.
In tōjisha-kenkyū, practitioners empower the afflicted to view their situation not as a permanent setback but as a part of their journey that can be managed and improved with appropriate support, understanding, and societal change.
By emphasising a shift in societal attitudes towards mental health and promoting inclusivity, tōjisha-kenkyū encourages optimism. There is tangible evidence of its growing popularity in Japan, with the establishment of several organisations dedicated to tōjisha-kenkyū principles. Moreover, international conferences on tōjisha-kenkyū foster global dialogue and the exchange of ideas.
Beyond Japan, the principles of tōjisha-kenkyū are resonating worldwide. For instance, the Hearing Voices Movement, which aligns with the approach's ethos of inclusivity and understanding, is gaining traction in numerous countries, including the UK, Australia, and the United States.
In essence, tōjisha-kenkyū is a hopeful and optimistic approach to mental health; it's a movement toward an inclusive society where individuals with mental health issues can find a meaningful place, thrive, and contribute. This enhances optimism among those directly affected and promotes a more positive societal outlook.
The Centre for Optimism's Framework for an "Optimistic Australian National Narrative" is aligned with that thinking about a more positive societal outlook. We can reframe the Australian national narrative to an optimistic, collaborative and care-driven one, and so too the world.
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