Human Resources: Japanese health organization reports increase in work related mental problems

The Japan Labor Health and Welfare Organization has reported that consultations over mental problems caused by troubled relationships with bosses and colleagues at work are on the rise.

The Japan Labor Health and Welfare Organization has been offering a telephone consultation service for mental problems since 2000. Since then the number of calls has risen to 19,178 in fiscal 2005, 17 percent more than in fiscal 2004.

A spokesperson for the organization said, "Relationships with bosses" topped the list of consultation topics in 2005, with 1,685 cases, followed by 1,372 instances of "relationships with colleagues."

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