Let’s be frank: being a student in 2026 is a high-pressure balancing act. Between research, career goals, and navigating life in a new country, stress is something we all encounter. Today I’m sharing a guide to the university’s mental health resources – because taking care of your state of mind is just as important as your research.

The Modern Student “Grind”

Now that I’m a student myself, I see why. Modern academic life is exciting, but it’s also a lot to manage. We live in an era of “fast-paced culture” where being busy is treated like a personality trait. Between lab deadlines, high-stakes presentations, and the pressure to have a more engaging profile, it’s easy to feel like you’re running a marathon with no finish line.

Photo 1: Me and my friend trying to remember the lecture: Five minutes before the exam, trying to remember literally anything. Working hard to stay postive despite the challenges! Academic stress is a shared experience.

It’s not just “in our heads” either. Research published in the Journal of Economic Literature by Bolotnyy et al. (2022) reveals that nearly 25% of PhD students experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety-a rate that is more than double the population average and often worsens as students progress through their programs.

Basically, if you’re feeling the weight of the world, you aren’t “failing” at being a student. You’re actually having a well-documented stress response to a high-pressure environment.

We often think we should just “power through” with another cup of coffee, but sometimes the smartest move isn’t working harder – it’s checking in with yourself.

A Smart Resource: The Student Healthcare Center

I think it’s important for all of us to know that Science Tokyo offers a professional, free mental health service. It isn’t just for “emergencies” or when things feel “broken.” Think of it as a specialized tool in your academic kit — a great resource if you’re feeling burnt out, dealing with lab conflicts, or just need a neutral, professional perspective.

The best part? It’s strictly confidential, and you can speak with a counselor in English.

Where to Go

You can find the Student Healthcare Center at both Ookayama and Yokohama* Campus.

  • Hours: Weekdays, 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM.
  • Format: Meet in person or chat over the phone.
  • Language: Japanese or English

I recently stopped by the Student Healthcare Center at Yokohama campus to see how the process works. I was impressed by how supportive and clear the staff were. Sometimes, we don’t need someone to “fix” a problem; we just need a professional, judgment-free space to process everything.

*Science Tokyo’s Suzukakedai Campus will change its name to “Yokohama Campus” on April 1, 2026. https://www.isct.ac.jp/en/news/60z1asniv9pr

Photo 2: The Student Healthcare Center building at Yokohama campus. A quiet, professional space on campus where you can step away from the lab noise for a bit.
Photo 3: (Left) You can find the room number on the floor map at the entrance of G3 Building; (Right) Once you’re inside, head up to the second floor. You’ll find the front desk in Room 213. You can enter without knocking, so don’t be shy!

How to Book Your First Consultation

As the university moves everything over to the new Science Tokyo platform, some website links are changing. To play it safe, always use the Science Tokyo platform URL as your first choice for booking.

STEP 1: The Booking Site

Visit the official Student Healthcare Center website. Scroll down and look for “Mental health and counseling” on the bottom of the page. If you click, you will jump to the “Mental health and counseling” page.

STEP 2: Choose Your Campus

In the middle of the page, there are two buttons that both read: ネット予約はこちら (Online Booking Here)**. Click the button for your preferred campus (Ookayama or Yokohama).

Pick the campus where you’d like to have your consultation.

** For new clients, please make your reservation through the online booking system. For existing clients, please make booking by phone or at the reception.

STEP 3: Language, Date, Time, and Method Selection

After the notice page, you will be redirected to the booking screen. You can select the language here to ensure that you will be able to have a consultation in English.

You can then select a date/time, and choose to have meeting in person or over the phone.

STEP 4: Confirmation

When you submit the form and you’ll get a confirmation email shortly. That’s it! You’re all set. Please add the appointment to your calendar and attend the meeting at the designated time and location.

Note: For mental health counseling by a psychiatrist, please make a reservation by phone or at the reception.

Final Thoughts

We live in a world where being “busy” is often seen as a badge of honor, but your well-being is what actually fuels your success. Taking advantage of these services isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a smart, responsible step toward protecting your future.

Behind every research breakthrough is a human being. Let’s make sure we’re looking after the human part of the equation, too. If the pressure is feeling a bit high lately, remember that support is already here for you. You don’t have to handle everything on your own.

The resident cats at Yokohama campus: If you find yourself at the G3 building in Yokohama campus, keep an eye out for these local celebrities! A little cat-therapy goes a long way.

References

Bolotnyy, V., Basilico, M., & Hull, P. (2022). Graduate student mental health: Lessons from American economics departments. Journal of Economic Literature, 60(4), 1188–1222.  https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.20201555

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