Characteristics of mental disorders among education and learning-support workers in 119 compensated cases in Japan

This study aimed to investigate the circumstances, characteristics, and background factors of mental disorders within the education and learning-support services, which is known for the frequent occurrence of mental disorders from overwork and poor psychosocial work environment. The study analyzed 119 cases of mental disorders and suicides in the education and learning-support services from fiscal years 2010 to 2019 on the database constructed by the Japan Research Center for Overwork-Related Disorders. The results exhibit that of 119 cases, 56 cases (47.1%) involved male employees while 63 cases (52.9%) involved female employees. From fiscal years 2010 to 2019, there were 43 cases of psychological stress related to work among males and 55 among females. The issue of "interpersonal relationship" was significantly higher in the education and learning-support services than in other industrial workers. Within the category of "interpersonal relationship" the specific issue of being "(severely) harassed, bullied, or assaulted" was especially prevalent (10 cases for males and 15 cases for females). Moreover, male employees reported many instances of suicide attempts, and their first attempt tended to lead to a completed suicide. Therefore, it is important to promote measures against harassment, bullying, and suicide in education and learning-support services.