#Japan #mental health #Tokyo #SMART-kun #Fismec

Fismec’s SMART-kun: Pioneering Mental Health Support

Fismec Inc., which was founded in July 1990 and is set to celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2025, has recently been chosen to participate in a government-supported program aimed at enhancing mental health services via advanced technology. This initiative was established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to support the development of mental health services using cutting-edge technology, specifically targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Urgent Need for Mental Health Support

As Japan stands on the brink of a demographic challenge, it is projected that the working-age population will decrease by 30% by 2050, dropping to around 52 million. Concurrently, approximately 82.7% of workers report experiencing stress from their work or professional lives, which adversely affects not only their health but also productivity, potentially leading to higher turnover rates and absenteeism. This situation significantly hinders overall organizational performance.

Recent trends reveal an increasing emphasis on not just addressing mental health issues among employees but actively working to enhance their mental well-being as a means to boost engagement and performance. However, the uptake of mental health initiatives such as stress checks, workplace environment improvements, and support systems remains low, particularly in SMEs where those systems are sorely needed.

The Role of Fismec in the Grant Program

Fismec has long been a proponent of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), particularly focusing on mental health support. The company’s AI-supported Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), known as SMART-CBT, has been recognized as an effective self-care tool within this grant initiative. Developed in collaboration with Professor Kenji Kawakami of the University of Tokyo, SMART-kun provides employees with the opportunity to learn stress management techniques through CBT.

In this grant program, Fismec aims to facilitate the integration of SMART-kun into SMEs, offering invaluable support while also collaborating on the effectiveness evaluation of these mental health initiatives. The ultimate goal is to foster evidence-based support for mental well-being in the workplace.

What is SMART-kun?

SMART-kun is an innovative AI tool designed to harness the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in a user-friendly format. Here are some key features:

• - Self-Care Learning: Employees can engage with SMART-kun to understand and practice cognitive behavioral therapy principles to improve their mental well-being.
• - Developed by Experts: The program is based on research and insights from esteemed clinicians, including Professor Kawakami.
• - Repetitive Learning: Continuous engagement with the program enhances efficacy and retention of CBT techniques.
• - Interactive Workshops: The curriculum combines lectures with practical applications to reinforce learning.
• - Ease of Access: SMART-kun operates via an e-learning format through a standard web browser, allowing employees to learn at their own pace and during convenient moments in their work schedules.

Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a psychological treatment that helps individuals modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors—especially useful in easing stress. By focusing on how feelings, thoughts, actions, and physical responses interact, CBT addresses cognitive distortions, ultimately promoting emotional control and problem-solving capabilities that can disrupt negative cycles.

The Advantages of Online CBT (iCBT)

The internet-mediated CBT or iCBT blends guided programs facilitated by psychological professionals with self-directed approaches. Fismec introduces SMART-CBT, a new AI-supported iCBT that demonstrates sustained effectiveness comparable to traditional guided programs, effectively eliminating barriers such as personnel training costs.

SMART-kun Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum offers valuable insights into:

• - Understanding Stress: Psychological models explaining stress mechanisms.
• - Self-Analysis Techniques: Utilizing CBT to sort out personal issues.
• - Boosting Mental Resilience: Techniques like activity optimization and relaxation.
• - Cognitive Restructuring: Techniques to change thought patterns.
• - Effective Problem Solving: Skills to tackle challenges efficiently.

Personalized Feedback from SMART-kun

SMART-kun includes a feature to perform self-checks throughout the curriculum. This allows smart predictions concerning the individual’s future performance, health, and well-being based on the assessment outcomes.

Cost of Implementing SMART-kun

The costs for SMART-kun include a setup fee of 12,000 JPY (excluding tax) and a training fee of 700 JPY (excluding tax) per participant. While the e-learning format remains eligible for the subsidy, Fismec also offers a separate stress check service, which is not included in this grant.

How to Implement SMART-kun

The process for implementation includes:
1. Application via the website or email.
2. Submission of the target participant list and payment of usage fee.
3. Completion of a pre-implementation survey.
4. Curriculum participation spanning 6 weeks.
5. Post-implementation survey feedback.
6. Receipt of the participation report based on survey outcomes.

Eligibility for the Grant

To successfully obtain the subsidy, SMEs must confirm their eligibility by the noon deadline on July 17. For further details, stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the public solicitation guidelines. If approved, entities engaging in SMART-kun will be eligible for subsidies of up to 3 million JPY.