COTREE and POLA to Participate in Demonstration Experiment on Postpartum Women's Physical and Mental Recovery

Aiming to demonstrate emotional support for postpartum women using online counseling.

- The following is content from the press release -

　(HQ: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Keiko Nishioka; hereinafter "cotree"), which operates the online counseling and coaching service "cotree," will participate in a demonstration project utilizing the postpartum care application "mamaniere" provided by POLA INC. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Keiko Nishioka; hereinafter "cotree") will participate in a demonstration project utilizing "mamaniere," a postpartum care application provided by POLA INC.
This demonstration project has been adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) under the "FY2023 Subsidy for Femtec and Other Support Services Demonstration Project.

Currently, 85.11 TP6T (*1) postpartum women in Japan take maternity leave, and many women make life plans based on the assumption that they will continue to work after childbirth.

However, an adequate support system for childcare and housework has not been established for postpartum women on maternity leave, and only a small percentage of women (27%*2) feel that there was an adequate support system.

Many also complained of physical and mental discomfort compared to pre-pregnancy. 83.8% of the respondents reported that their physical condition was unwell, and 84.9% (*2) reported that their mental condition was unwell.

Therefore, COTREE provides support for postpartum women to care for their mental disorders through online counseling.

1 Basic Survey on Equal Employment in FY2021, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

2 POLA's "Independent Questionnaire and Interview Survey of Postpartum Women," N=179

COTREE and POLA have been collaborating since July 4, 2023 with POLA's "mamaniere" online counseling based on facial analysis results. (Reference: https://cotree.co/posts/mamaniere )

We will further collaborate with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a demonstration project adopted for the "FY2023 Subsidy for FemTech Support Service Demonstration Project".

Details of the Demonstration Project

By providing either online counseling or day care support, we will demonstrate how postpartum care contributes to the physical and mental recovery of postpartum women, utilizing "mamaniere" analysis technology.

This project will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Emiko Manabe, Associate Professor Shizuka Kimura, and Associate Professor Mie Izumi of Doshisha Women's University School of Nursing.

1. cotree offers online counseling

Three counseling sessions (totaling 15,000 yen worth) will be provided free of charge to postpartum women on maternity leave.

A counselor who is an expert in mental health will listen carefully to your concerns about postpartum faltering, worries about childcare, and anxiety about returning to work. Because it is online, it can be conducted anytime, anywhere, at any time.

2. provision of postpartum day care at Vitality House, a prenatal and postpartum care center

POLA's co-creation partner, Vitality House, a prenatal and postpartum care center, will provide postpartum day care free of charge. The program includes two days of day care (equivalent to about 50,000 yen), childcare and breastfeeding consultation by a midwife, care for the infant, checkup of the mother's physical and mental condition, and rest services for the mother on a one-day trip.

Conditions for Participation in the Demonstration Project

Period: September 15, 2023 - December 31, 2023 (Sun.)

Conditions for participation: Women who have given birth and have applied using the dedicated form below.

https://pogp.sfask.com/q/A940F4L7

*If there are too many applicants, they will be selected by lottery.

*In the event of a large number of applicants, the application period will be closed before the end of the application period.

*If you are not selected, you will receive a 2,000 yen discount coupon that can be used at COTREE counseling sessions.

Going forward, cotree aims to become an infrastructure for mental health care and to create a society connected by kindness.

What is the "mamaniere" postpartum care application?

As your personal concierge, POLA's postpartum care application "mamaniere" delivers information on how to make your postpartum life healthier and more enjoyable, tailored to each individual's current condition.

Point 1: Analyze your "current" state of mind and body after childbirth using POLA Chemical Industries Laboratories' unique facial analysis technology.

By taking a picture of your face, the system analyzes your body's tendency toward fatigue, your state of mind (autonomic balance), and your heart rate level. Analysis can be easily performed with or without make-up. Analysis results can also be shared with family members.

Point 2: Based on the results of the analysis, we suggest care and information recommended for you "now" after childbirth.

We suggest recommended information and services, taking into account the current state of mind and body of the mother and the age of the baby.

It will suggest care methods to solve problems specific to the postpartum period, services to help infant families, information to make life with babies more enjoyable, and childcare information tailored to the age of the month.

*In some supported areas, useful local information is also suggested. (As of June 2011, information on areas around Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. We plan to expand this service in the near future.)

Point 3: Distribute app-only coupons within the listed services

App Name

Yell for moms." and "ma maniere" means "be yourself" in French, so that you can enjoy your postpartum life in your own way.

Click here to download

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mamaniere/id6449989335

(App Store) *No application fee

Special WEB site is here.

https://mamaniere.pola.co.jp

What is COTREE's online counseling?

Japan's largest online counseling service "cotree

https://cotree.jp/

Two types of online counseling services are available: "talking counseling" in video/call format or "writing counseling" in message format. We boast one of the largest number of registered psychologists in Japan*, with more than 150 registered clinical psychologists and licensed psychologists, who hold the most highly specialized psychological qualifications. Only those who have passed our screening process are registered, so you can consult with us with peace of mind.

*Comparison of the number of publicly available counselors in domestic counseling services (as of March 2023, own research)

Talking Counseling" (video and telephone counseling services)

This is an online counseling service that connects people with problems with clinical psychologists and career counselors who have passed a rigorous screening process using the online meeting application "Zoom" in video and telephone formats. The regular fee is 5,500 yen (tax included) for one 45-minute session. Through dialogue with a counselor, you can take the time to face yourself. You can consult with a counselor who is available to talk to you immediately, regardless of time or location.

Writing Counseling" (Message Counseling Service)

This is a "written" counseling service that allows you to consult with your dedicated partner (counselor) in the form of one-on-one messages. You can send as many messages as you like within the cotree system during the period, and you will receive a response from your counselor within 24 hours. The regular cost is 8,800 yen (tax included) for 2 weeks. This service is recommended for those who want to proceed with counseling while organizing their problems and feelings to some extent in their own mind and for those who are not good at "talking" because they can communicate their problems and feelings slowly and at their own pace, choosing their words as they go.

Online Counseling COTREE "Plan for Corporations and Groups

This plan is for companies and organizations that are willing to share the cost of using cotree as a corporation.

Many companies and organizations have taken advantage of this service, which is now available to more than 390,000 people.

In the "Plan for Corporations and Groups," not only counseling by mental health specialists, but also career counseling and coaching by career consultants and other counselors who specialize in career change, returning to work, and working styles are available, making it possible to provide comprehensive 1-to-1 support for all employees. We are able to provide comprehensive 1-to-1 support to all employees.

COTREE provides a wide range of support for employees' work, career, and private life concerns.