Step-Up Challenge for Mental Health
Let’s honor the 21,837 people who lost their lives to suicide in Japan in 2023.
Suicide remains a critical issue that impacts individuals and communities in Japan. To inspire positive change and tackle this uncomfortable but important topic, TELL focuses on Step-Up Challenge 2024—from September 10 (World Suicide Prevention Day) through October 10, 2023 (World Mental Health Day)—a nationwide effort to #StartTheConversation.
WHO: Individuals, communities, schools, embassies, NGOs, and business organizations
WHAT: Take action (by yourself or with a team) using the number 21,837. (You can walk, run, bike, swim, climb, crochet, paint, talk, fundraise – get creative!)
WHERE: Anywhere in Japan or the world
WHEN: September 10 – October 10, 2024
WHY: To honor the 21,837 people who lost their lives to suicide in Japan in 2023.
HOW:
1) Register and buy a ¥1,500 TELL Step-Up Ticket (eligible for trophies and SWAG). Tickets to be available on the TELL website from August 1, 2024.
2) Join a pre-scheduled TELL community walk (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa) OR organize your own teams to compete for the trophies/awards (including most steps in a day, most funds raised, and most creative use of the number 21,837).
Compete with friends, family, business colleagues, and teammates, meet your community, and raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention and mental healthcare in Japan’s international community. Get your athletic shoes ready and save the dates! We can’t wait to see you there.
This year, we are moving our signature Tokyo Tower Climb event to the Spring of 2025. By separating the Tokyo Tower Climb and Step-up Challenge, we aim to strive towards zero suicides in Japan, and be part of a global effort to foster a meaningful conversation about suicide prevention between World Suicide Prevention Day and World Mental Health Awareness Day. Suicide prevention awareness month for Japan is only in the Spring, and more aligned for the Tower Climb which is held only in Tokyo.
TELL also aims to provide a month-long opportunity to provide a suicide prevention specific programming, workshops, and events across the nation and beyond. Join us in breaking the stigma around reaching out for help and #StartTheConversationabout suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
