Japanese Children's Honest Feeling: 'It's Scary to Ask for Help.' 'M.O.F.U.,' a Space Nurturing Hearts Through Art and Hip Hop, Launches Crowdfunding to Build a Sustainable Mental Wellness Model!

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Non-Profit Organization: Mental Health Environment Improvement Project (MHEC)

[Image: Art therapy session in progress]

The Mental Health Environment Improvement Project (MHEC; Location: Tokyo, Japan), a non-profit organization, is launching a crowdfunding campaign (https://syncable.biz/campaign/9487) to turn 'M.O.F.U. (Mind Opening Forum for Us)'—a space where children can safely connect through art, music, movement, Hip Hop, and heartfulness—into an annual program.

■ Background: A survey of 200 children reveals 'fear and embarrassment about seeking help'

Between 2023 and 2024, MHEC conducted a survey on mental health awareness among 200 elementary school students (grades 4-6). The results showed that many children feel that 'the act of asking for help itself is scary and embarrassing.' For children who find it difficult to explain their emotions in words, talking to parents or teachers, or undergoing traditional verbal counseling, remains a high hurdle. Consequently, many worries are kept bottled up, 'left without words.'

■ Response to the 2025 event: A 'wellness experience' that overturns conventional images

In the pilot M.O.F.U. wellness event held in June 2025, participation significantly exceeded capacity. By providing opportunities to 'feel naturally and experience mental wellness' through art, music, movement, Hip Hop, and heartfulness, we received numerous pieces of feedback that overturned the conventional 'scary/negative' image associated with mental health.

[Image: Wellness talk with all participants] [Image: Movement therapy session]

[Participant Feedback]
'It was so much fun.' 'I felt like my existence was acknowledged.' 'I felt like I was being cherished.' 'I felt like I could just be myself here.'

Above all, the fact that so many people said they 'want to participate again' became the primary reason we decided we must build a system for continuous support rather than ending it as a one-time event.

This initiative has been featured not only in Japan but also in media in the United States and the United Kingdom. It was introduced as a noteworthy, Japan-originated initiative called 'Creative Community Mental Health,' which transcends the boundaries of medicine, mental health, and community by fusing non-traditional, non-verbal approaches and free expression therapy. (https://richwoman.co/article/creative-therapies-revolutionise-children-s-mental-health-as-japan-embraces-hip-hop-and-art-b)

[Image: Featured by UK media]

■ M.O.F.U.'s vision: Supporting adults and children as a single 'unit'

We do not consider only children to be the subjects of care. This is because children are strongly influenced by the psychological state of the adults around them (modeling). In reality, parents and teachers are often overwhelmed by the task of supporting children and frequently feel lonely, not knowing what to do.

MHEC does not strictly divide people into 'those being supported' (children) and 'those providing support' (adults). We recognize that **children, adults, and even the supporters and professionals involved are all equally 'beings who deserve care.'** Through the M.O.F.U. community, we aim to deliver a place to everyone where help is accessible, correct knowledge is gained, and above all, where one can feel, 'I am safe here.'

■ Project goal: From goodwill volunteering to a 'sustainable system'

[Image: M.O.F.U. expert team consisting of Japanese and American psychiatrists, psychosomatic physicians, psychologists, US clinical psychologists, and certified public psychologists]

Currently, M.O.F.U. is supported by experts—including doctors, psychologists, and clinical psychologists from Japan and the U.S.—and community staff, all of whom work as unpaid volunteers. However, children's mental care should not be a 'one-time magic trick.' Through this crowdfunding campaign, we will establish the following system to provide continuous mental support:

① Implementation of annual support: We will provide year-round continuous support, psychological education, and workshops to build and care for the 'emotional foundation' of children and adults throughout the year.

② Deployment of experts and support staff: To connect high-quality support to the next generation, we will develop an operational structure that allows experts to work sustainably.

③ Visualization of evidence: We will evaluate and report on participant changes to accelerate social implementation.

[Image: Example of the M.O.F.U. annual wellness support program]

■ Crowdfunding Overview

Project Name: Building a Wellness Model Through Non-Traditional, Non-Verbal Approaches | M.O.F.U. 2026

Duration: Until April 20, 2026

Crowdfunding Site: https://syncable.biz/campaign/9487

[About the Mental Health Environment Improvement Project (MHEC)]
A non-profit organization formed by a community and Japanese/American psychological experts who provide psychological education and support, aiming for a 'society where everyone can receive mental care in their own way.' Through the 'M.O.F.U.' program devised by our expert team, we propose a new form of care that fuses non-traditional, non-verbal, and expressive therapies with clinical psychology, rather than relying solely on traditional medicine or word-based psychological support. https://syncable.biz/associate/mhec/vision#associate-tabs

[Contact for inquiries regarding this matter]
Mental Health Environment Improvement Project (MHEC)
Contact: Yu Shiraki
Email: info@mentalhealthec.org