Content Warning: The podcast below is a frank discussion of mental health, depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal thoughts.
If you are in Japan and want to talk to someone about your mental health, please consider contacting the Tokyo English lifeline at https://telljp.com/.
It was a pleasure to be featured in the podcast – Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai. We chatted about coming to Japan and then my business career, but we discussed deeply my experience and why I advocate for mental health awareness in the workplace.
In this episode of Jennifer’s podcast, we talk about my struggles with depression and bipolar disorder, which I encountered along the way climbing the corporate ladder. We explore what “ikigai” (life purpose) signifies when simply getting out of bed becomes your driving force.
Our conversation takes you through my journey to Japan in the 1990s, navigating a career while battling depression and receiving a bipolar diagnosis. We emphasize the significance of honesty in both professional and personal spheres when facing internal struggles. You’ll also hear how the Japanese firm Tech Doctors utilizes wearable device data to enhance diagnoses and treatment for various illnesses. Finally, we equip you with some insights on supporting someone you know who might be experiencing depression.
This is not a new topic for me, having written about it in a previous blogpost. I spoke at a TEDxYouth event in 2022 for students, teachers and parents of the Global Indian International School in Tokyo. Check the TED channel:
In the podcast with Jennifer, I talk about vulnerability, empathy and permitting skills in the workplace. In the TEDxYouth talk, I give 6 key maintenance tips from my experience with bipolar disorder: medication as a fundamental, enough and regular sleep, a routine, even moderate exercise, mindfulness, and honesty. While it’s hard to practice all of these all the time, an awareness and an effort is a good start. You can find the slides I used during the TEDxYouth talk below.
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