Mental health support in Japan in English: counselling and crisis lines

If you need mental health support in English in Japan, two free lines can help. As of October 2026, TELL Lifeline (0800-300-8355, English, confidential) runs on a weekly schedule, and the Yorisoi Hotline (0120-279-338, press 2 for foreign languages) takes calls every day from 10:00 to 22:00. For ongoing care, find a psychiatry clinic that lists your language, and ask your city office about the 10% copay scheme.

Which crisis lines work in English?

TELL Lifeline does not show your number to the volunteer, and you don’t have to give your name. TELL says calls may be monitored for training. Hours differ by weekday (for example, phone is split into two blocks on Tuesday to Thursday), and TELL notes last-minute changes can happen, so check the hours page before you call.

The Yorisoi Hotline accepts calls from anywhere in Japan. After the Japanese guidance, press 2 for foreign languages. Which language is staffed varies by time of day. Yorisoi also offers Facebook Messenger, a chat form and fax for people who find phone calls hard.

How do I find a psychiatrist or counselor who speaks my language?

Crisis lines listen. For diagnosis, therapy or medication you need a clinic.

• JNTO Medical Institution Search has a Psychiatry department filter and a language filter. It is written for visitors and does not say whether residents may use it, but it lists clinics by language.
• Tokyo’s list of foreign-patient institutions shows each facility’s supported languages by ward.
• For the full set of finder tools and phone interpreters, see English-speaking hospitals and clinics in Japan.

Both lists are self-reported and may be out of date. Call first. Confirm that the clinic is taking new patients, that it can see you in your language, and what to bring. Bring your insurance proof (the My Number Card as your health insurance card).

What does it cost?

Insured visits carry the usual copay: 30% for ages 6 to 69 (see the National Health Insurance guide). Ask the clinic whether your visit is insured. Without Japanese public insurance you pay the full price.

For long-term outpatient psychiatric treatment there is a scheme called 自立支援医療 (精神通院医療). Per Minato City’s page:

• Insurance and public funds cover 90%, so you pay 10%.
• You apply at your ward or city office with a designated medical certificate (required once every two years) and proof of your health insurance eligibility.
• The certificate is valid for one year. You can renew from three months before it expires.
• Some households exempt from resident tax, and people on public assistance, pay nothing.

The Minato page gives no separate rules for foreign residents. Ask your own office whether your situation qualifies.

If you are not sure where to start

Pick the lowest-effort step: call Yorisoi and press 2, or open TELL chat. Then ask for help finding a clinic. If a Japanese phone call is hard, ask your ward office about interpretation. Minato City, for example, mentions a multilingual three-way phone service.

This page is general information, not medical advice.

More guides

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• Prescription medicine in Japan