Supporting the Creation of an Organization Where Women Can Continue to Work with Peace of Mind—Launching Health Management Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Southern Kyushu

Mental health support launched for SMEs in Southern Kyushu, accompanying efforts to promote women's active participation and enhance organizational strength.

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  • 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 18:00
  • 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (4h 56m after Published)
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Bochibochi Neuro Lab Co., Ltd. (Location: Kagoshima City, Representative Director: Akemi Sato) is fully launching its mental health support service targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kagoshima Prefecture and the Southern Kyushu area, aiming to improve both employee well-being and organizational performance. Akemi Sato, a clinical psychologist who has experience supporting the return to work for employees on leave at a psychiatric clinic, has obtained certification as a "Health Management Expert Advisor" (certified by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry). The company will provide support for building organizations where women can continue to thrive flexibly and long-term.

■ Social Issue: Annual Economic Loss of 3.4 Trillion Yen Due to Women's Specific Health Challenges

Throughout their lives, women experience significant hormonal changes related to menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, and menopause. However, in many workplaces, these issues are treated as "personal problems," leading to decreased performance. Furthermore, many women are forced to leave their jobs due to the heavy burden of domestic responsibilities such as childcare, eldercare, and children's school refusal. The economic loss attributed to women's specific health challenges is estimated to be approximately 3.4 trillion yen annually (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).

<On the Estimation of Economic Losses Due to Women's Specific Health Challenges and the Necessity of Health Management>

*Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, February 2024

■ Features of Our Accompaniment Support

● "Building the Foundation of an Organization" Aiming for Certified Health and Productivity Management and "Eruboshi" Certification

Through mental health measures for female employees, we support the creation of a comfortable working environment and the improvement of continuous employment rates. These are factors related to the evaluation criteria for "Certified Health and Productivity Management" and "Eruboshi" certification. We provide accompaniment support for building the "foundation of an organization where women can continue to work with peace of mind," which is a prerequisite for obtaining certification.

● Training Program to Foster "Resilient Minds"

We cultivate the ability to flexibly switch thinking and behavior according to the situation, rather than just "enduring" stress. Through training utilizing insights from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we enhance the mental resilience of each employee and provide accompaniment support for building an organization where the entire team can operate autonomously.

● Professional Support from a Clinical Psychologist and Ph.D. Holder

A clinical psychologist with approximately 20 years of clinical experience will conduct group cognitive behavioral therapy, follow-up interviews after stress checks, and visiting counseling. While based on scientific evidence, the support deeply accompanies individuals through their life stages.

■ Example of Accompaniment Support Menu for Companies

※ Support content will be customized according to the company's challenges and requests.

■ Message

FAQ

What is the main goal of Bochibochi Neuro Lab's new service?

The main goal is to provide mental health support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Southern Kyushu, aiming to improve employee well-being and organizational performance, with a specific focus on creating an environment where women can continue to work comfortably and thrive long-term.

What is the economic impact of women's specific health challenges mentioned in the article?

The article cites an estimate from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that women's specific health challenges lead to an annual economic loss of approximately 3.4 trillion yen in Japan.

How does this service help companies achieve certifications like 'Certified Health and Productivity Management' or 'Eruboshi'?

The service supports companies in building a foundation for an organization where women can work with peace of mind, which is a key evaluation factor for these certifications. By improving the working environment and continuous employment rates for female employees through mental health measures, companies can better meet the criteria for these recognitions.

What kind of training does Bochibochi Neuro Lab offer?

They offer training programs based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles designed to foster 'resilient minds.' This training helps employees develop the ability to flexibly adapt their thinking and behavior in response to stress, rather than just enduring it, thereby enhancing individual and team autonomy.

Who provides the professional support, and what is their background?

The professional support is provided by a clinical psychologist with approximately 20 years of clinical experience. They are also certified as a 'Health Management Expert Advisor' and hold a Ph.D. The support includes group CBT, follow-up interviews, and visiting counseling, tailored to individual life stages.

Is the support customizable for different companies?

Yes, the article states that the support content will be customized according to the specific challenges and requests of each company.

Which region does this service primarily target?

The service primarily targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kagoshima Prefecture and the broader Southern Kyushu area.