The Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) Children’s Health Project team, the HGPI Mental Health Policy Project team, and the Japan Society of Stress Management submitted joint policy recommendations titled “Steps for Implementing Children’s Stress Management in Society” to Ms. Takae Ito, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Policy recommendations

(1) We request a revision be made to the Courses of Study to secure at least six hours per year for each grade from the first year of elementary school to the third year of high school so children can learn practical methods of stress management. Furthermore, we request that notices and other announcements be issued before the next revision of the Courses of Study so stress management education can be implemented within existing frameworks such as those for integrated studies and special activities.

(2) We request the creation of a system that teaches children concrete methods of addressing stress and that enables early detection of mental distress using tablets and other terminals in a similar manner to the Stress Check System used for adults.

(3) As providing stress management education during periods of non-emergency will also be effective for preparing people for disasters, accidents, and other periods of distress and help to prevent sexual violence (“Safety Education for Life”), please set aside time specifically for stress management education within curricula.

(4) Please conduct a nationwide survey on the implementation status of stress management education in schools, gather best practices, and proactively publicize those best practices to serve as points of reference for schools that will introduce stress management education in the future.