New employment support model to support postpartum depression and anxiety about returning to work
- The following is content from the press release -
(Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Nao Tsukagoshi), a new employment support service that integrates mental care and career support for postpartum women.Famitasu TREEhas launched a new service for mothers with postpartum depression and anxiety about returning to work. This new service provides companionship and support for "mental and working styles" on a couple/family basis, focusing on mothers suffering from postpartum depression and anxiety about returning to work. We want to reduce the number of women who suffer from mental illness during maternity leave or who have no choice but to leave their jobs. We also aim to build a sustainable support network in the community and workplace.
background
- It is estimated that one in seven mothers in Japan experience postpartum depression, and it has been pointed out that it can have a serious impact on employment and family life (reported incidence rate of about 14.3% in the first month after childbirth).Journal of the Japanese Society of Neuropsychiatry].
- While the rate of men taking maternity leave is 40.5%, the rate for women is 86.6%, a record high.Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, FY2024 Basic Survey on Equal Employment], the shortage of labor and difficulties in supporting the retention of workers, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises, remain serious.
- It is estimated that productivity loss due to mental illness is equivalent to about 1.1% of GDP (7.6 trillion yen per year).Yokohama City University Research Press ReleaseThe government, companies, and local communities need to work together to promote countermeasures.
- The categories/points of contact are disparate: "return to work/career" is in the career support category, "postpartum depression" is handled by obstetricians and psychiatrists, and "childcare" should call childcare support. Unless the individual converts the problem into an issue himself/herself, he/she may remain sulking and unable to find a solution.
- Tsukagoshi, the president of our company, himself experienced a period of separation from work due to postpartum depression. She spent a period of time unable to work even if she wanted to, and her mind and body were not able to keep up. Even now, I am a person with a mental disorder, and have been developing a mental health care counseling service and online community mainly for postpartum women, aiming for "a society where everyone can choose a way of working that is healthy in mind and body and fits who they are now". We have developed this service after conducting a variety of research.
Realities in the Field (Summary of Survey Results)
We collected feedback from the field through multiple surveys conducted through CrowdWorks in February 2025.
The survey targeted mothers in their 20s to 40s raising children nationwide. Approximately 70% of the respondents were in their 30s, and the region was drawn from a wide range of areas throughout Japan, with a focus on the southern Kanto and Kinki regions.
Questionnaire about maternity leave100 (Feb. 12)
Questionnaire for mothers on maternity leave100 (Feb. 12)
Survey of retired (job-seeking) mothers64 (February 26)
Main Results
Strength of return anxiety
About 70% of mothers on childcare leave were "very anxious" or "quite anxious. In particular, many are anxious about "lack of sleep," "physical weakness," and "balancing work and childcare.
Preferred Support
- Pre-return counseling, online counseling, etc.Ongoing mental accompanimentThe need for
- On the other hand, "social gatherings among employees on maternity leave" and "specific guides for supervisors,Support that prevents isolation and works in the fieldis also sought after by people while their anxiety is still mild.
Voices of Retired Moms
Many of the reasons for leaving the workforce are "lack of flexible work styles" and "lack of a contact person to ask for advice,
Telework and return-to-work programs would have kept me going.The voice of "I'm not a fan of this" stood out.
Challenges seen from free descriptions
- Difficulty in securing daycare
- Isolated situation, unable to rely on husband or family
- Even though the system exists, the reality is that it is "difficult to use and understand.
→ In addition to institutional development,Accompanying support for use in the fieldThis highlights the need for
Features of famitasu TREE
For postpartum women who want to work as they are,Accompanied online support services to protect your mind and careerIt is.
Developed by former postpartum depression sufferers, in collaboration with psychologists, social workers, nurses, childcare professionals, and other professionals.
We provide a system that links "mental care" and "employment support" into one, allowing people to return to work and develop their careers with peace of mind.
Click here for the detailed page:https://famitasu.com/lp/famitasu-tree/
point
- online completion(You can even participate while carrying your baby!)
- Mental care for the family unit(Mainly for moms, but in some cases online consultations including husbands/family members are available)
- Online meeting with a licensed psychologist/counselor once a month without fail(Above that, payment is made on a case-by-case basis.)
- Original physician-supervised return-to-work decision list provided.(Supervised by Dr. Hiroshi Murakami, Lecturer, Department of Perinatal Mental Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine)
- Integration of career and employment support(Preparation for return to work, job development support, cooperation with Type A workplaces, career support accompaniment)
- Staff with social worker certification meet with you and propose a roadmap to return to work.
- You can also make friends in our unique online community.
About Pricing
9,800 yen/month (tax included)
Discounts are available for monthly payments or for 3, 6, or 12 months.
For more information, please visit the site.
Cooperating Companies
An online community dedicated to moms.
To support the desire to learn and work, we regularly hold lectures and workshops on IT skills.
The course covers a wide range of content, from beginner-friendly introduction to practical step-up content. There are also opportunities to try out the knowledge you have learned in client work, providing an opportunity for practical experience. The management team consists of IT instructors, career consultants, and designers. All are active professionals and active mothers. Famitasu TREE is a place where mothers who want to acquire skills or need an opportunity to work from home can take a step forward together with their peers. famitasu TREE will carefully select from Mamit's contents a job skills program with timing and content to suit your needs.
We operate a Type A continuous employment support office to provide an environment where people who have difficulty working in general companies due to physical disabilities or mental illness can continue to work for a long time with peace of mind. Full remote work is also available, allowing people to work without strain according to their physical condition and lifestyle. You can hone your skills while receiving financial support and realize a way of working that will lead to your future. We value your desire to work and will do our best to support you in finding secure and stable employment.
At famitasu TREE, we will consult with you on when you have found your heart and work style, and work with I.C.G. Jobs, a labor support company, to advance your career strategy.
Future Development
1. co-creation model with local governments
Based on the survey and user data, promote collaboration with local comprehensive care and childcare support centers,Bringing the "family-based support" model up to municipal standardsWe envision spreading the word.
2. retention programs for companies
We are preparing a plan to provide "continuous accompaniment" of online counseling and return-to-work interviews for employees that is directly related to KPIs (retention rate and engagement) to prevent turnover of employees returning from maternity leave and young human resources.
Combined training for supervisors and personnel,The goal is to put the system into "functioning operation".
Especially in small and medium-sized enterprises, the "manpower shortage countermeasuresSupport to help even one person not have to quit.We will propose to introduce the system as a
Social implementation of data and findings
From user surveys and consultation records,Effective support patterns for return to work and retentionExtracting the
Contribute to "measures to support women's activities and balance work and family life" promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Health, Labor and WelfareProvides evidence
In the future,Data infrastructure that can be used for policy making by companies and local governmentsWe will continue to evolve as a
Representative Comment
However, in my dealings with actual individuals and families, I have seen that "just taking maternity leave" is not enough.
We feel that "seamless support" is exactly what is needed. It is not a case of "one consultation and that's it,To continue to lean in during times of ebbs and flows.. To sustain a career, mental health care and help with childcare are all grounded.
We will create a society where people do not have to give up working because of child-rearing or physical or mental illness, not only mothers but also their husbands, partners, and other family members, as well as the workplace.
About Us
Company name: MamaQualia Inc.
Location: 2F-C, Shibuya Dogenzaka Tokyu Building, 1-10-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Establishment: November 1, 2022
Business activities: Operation of family mental care media "famitasu," individual counseling/peer counseling specifically for postpartum depressed mothers, and management of seminars on mental health.
Representative Director: Nao Tsukagoshi
URL:https://mamaqualia.com/
