English information
一覧はこちらWhat we do
We provide comprehensive social assistance to help people who would like to support and protect a family member, friend, colleague and loved one.
We understand that it is important for whom struggling with their suicide ideationto prevent isolation and loneliness and be by their side in their time of need.
Friendship and human contact are a precious necessity to walk together through this period in life.
Youth Gatekeeper for suicide prevention Training Program (In-Person)
Our organization believes that enabling young people to become a source of emotional support for their friends, partners, and families can play a crucial role in preventing youth suicide, loneliness, isolation, and depression. To achieve a society where all young individuals can serve as emotional supporters, we collaborate with local governments to implement the Youth Gatekeeper for suicide prevention Training Program.
This program is designed to train youth gatekeepers for suicide prevention through a three-step process:
- Basic Learning (Group Sessions)
- Practical Application (Individual)
- Reflection (Group Sessions)
Unlike traditional gatekeeper training, our program emphasises not only theoretical learning but also practical application and reflective activities. Participants learn effective approaches to handling concerns and are encouraged to develop a mindful attitude in their daily lives. This enables them to quickly recognize signs of distress, and connect with professional support organizations in their close friends, partners, or family members and provide emotional support.
Even after completing the program, participants are encouraged to continue as “emotional supporters,” spreading the importance of noticing and staying closeto subtle SOS signals from those around them.
Youth Gatekeeper for suicide prevention Training Program (Online)
In collaboration with the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Tokyo, our organisation co-developed an online training program in 2022 to cultivate student peer gatekeepers. Building on this collaboration, we now operate and deliver the Online Gatekeeper Training Program internally.
The primary objectives of this program are:
- Preventing burnout among those offering support
- Preventing loneliness, isolation, and suicide among those receiving support
Through interactive workshops, participants gain essential knowledge, support techniques, and skills to connect individuals in need with professional help.
ringS – Supporter’s Community
The support community “ringS” is an online space for supporters, symbolizing the creation of a safe “ring” (connection circle) for both the Self and those who provide support.
It is a place where individuals in their teens to 30s, who may be struggling with issues like:
・”I noticed a change in a close friend or family member, but I’m not sure what to do,”
・”I’m not sure if I’m approaching the situation in the right way,”
can come together to learn self-care practices for supporters, develop strategies to protect their own mental health, offer comforting words to each other, and share tips on how to provide support.
Open Chat for “supporters” to take care of friends’ problems 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The open chat is a 24/7 consultation service for those who listen to and support others’ concerns. We offer consultations on “how to respond to worries from friends, family, or partners” and provide support to people across the country and even internationally.
By gaining the necessary knowledge through lectures on how to support others and having a space to connect with others in similar positions, it helps bring stability to the mental well-being of those who are there to listen and provide support.
Individuals in their teens to 30s who may be struggling with issues such as “Noticing changes in a close friend or family member, but not knowing what to do” or “Unsure if I’m approaching the situation the right way” can gather together to share difficult, sad, fun, or happy experiences with each other.
The community is led by mental health welfare professionals, certified psychologists, and peer staff from Light Ring., and it is run using LINE’s open chat feature.
The “Child and Youth Support Volunteer Training Course”
At Light Ring., we offer a “Supporter Support Volunteer Training Course” for those who wish to provide support to friends, partners, family members, and others who are the “gatekeepers” in receiving concerns.
Lectures
To raise awareness about youth suicide prevention and mental health challenges, our organization actively shares knowledge with the wider community. Based on suicide analyses tailored to specific municipalities and regional needs, we conduct one-day workshops on self-care and supporter training.
Adolescent-Focused Lecture Series
This program, tailored for middle school, high school, and university students, employs a classroom-style lecture format combined with group workshops. It aims to equip students with effective strategies for managing common adolescent concerns such as friendships, career decisions, and family issues. By fostering a clear understanding of these strategies, the program seeks to prevent mental health issues during this critical developmental stage.
Lectures for Educators
Designed for teachers, school counsellors, and others responsible for the supervision, guidance, and care of adolescents, this program provides foundational knowledge on youth mental health. It includes guidance on how to handle consultations effectively, deliver appropriate care, and develop the skills necessary to address mental health challenges in young people.
Our organization is developing support activities from an international perspective, aiming at youth mental health, mental health community, peer support, suicide prevention, and prevention of loneliness and isolation.
We are currently looking forward to hearing from those who live abroad and are willing to cooperate with our activities, or from those who are interested in our activities at overseas research institutes, support groups, foundations, etc.
For any inquiries or questions about our organization, please send them through our contact form.