Addressing Midwife Burnout: Opportunities to Learn Mental Healthcare for Supporters Now Available

In Japan, where suicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women, the mental burden on midwives on the front lines is a serious issue.

On the other hand, there have been few systematic opportunities for supporters themselves to learn about self-care.

In response to this challenge, With Midwife Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Seizuki Kishihata, hereinafter referred to as With Midwife) is offering an opportunity to learn about mental healthcare for supporters as part of its reskilling program for midwives, "License says."

Background of the Seminar

While midwifery is a noble profession that witnesses the birth of life, it is also constantly accompanied by significant mental stress.

Currently, about 90% of midwives in Japan work in perinatal medical settings such as hospitals. There, they routinely deal with delicate and heavy issues, such as situations where they must confront death at the same time as birth, and cases involving sexual violence or high social risk.

Furthermore, during pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, many women experience mental health issues due to hormonal imbalances and changes in their living environment, and midwives are at the forefront of their care. In particular, postpartum depression remains a major social issue. Despite Japan's high technical standards in perinatal care globally, suicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women. Recently, the need for support for fathers experiencing mental health issues after childbirth has also been highlighted.

In such circumstances, midwives themselves, as supporters, often experience strong stress and fatigue, leading to mental health problems and turnover.

Moreover, because they are professionals who are required to "be empathetic," there is a structural issue where they unconsciously internalize emotions and become exhausted.

Features of This Seminar

Based on this background, "Mental Healthcare for Supporters 2026" will cover:

・ How supporters experience mental fatigue unique to their role

・ Perspectives for protecting the mental health of supporters themselves

・ Self-care and interaction methods that can be practiced in the field

Participants will systematically learn the knowledge necessary for midwives to continue working healthily for a long time.

This seminar has received many positive responses each year, such as "It gave me a chance to reflect on myself" and "It changed how I interact with others starting tomorrow." We have decided to hold it again in 2026.

April, in particular, is a time when many people start their careers as midwives or experience changes in their environment. We believe that having a "perspective to protect oneself" at such a time can significantly influence one's future career as a midwife.

Instructor Comments

<img src="https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/57629/103/57629-103-395e170a158c79c2f1bac3ba8c...