Since the number of suicides rapidly increased to over 30,000 in 1998 in Japan, the number has been maintaining almost the same level. Men accounted for more than 70% of suicides throughout the same period. Under such circumstances, increased number of local municipalities set up a counseling unit dedicated for men, in addition to conventional one for women, at their Office for Gender Equality.

While working for a private company, I am engaged in a helpline for men run by a municipality that quickly started such a program in Kansai area.
For most of men who have always been competing with others in a competitive society, it is a shame and requires gathering courage to tell their pain or distress to others. This is why men tend to choose death without saying anything. But it is never a shame for men to dwell on their pain or distress, I am sure.
Admiring visitors to our counseling for their courage, I will stand by them so that they may restore their true “worrying ability” to find their feet. I believe that logotherapy can help them in restoring “worrying ability.”