| Nation-wide English Counseling Services If you feel for any reason that you do not want to talk to your supervisor or your PA about any particular problem, there are alternative, very competent means of support and guidance:
CLAIR JETline: 03-5213-1729
Available Mon. - Fri. 9:00 to 18:00 This line is run by the JET Programme Coordinators at CLAIR. You can use this line for some of the same services you might use your PA, including counseling, consultation and information. Quite often, your PAs will use this line to get information, too.
Tokyo English Life Line (TELL): 03-5774-0992
Available daily 9:00 to 16:00, 19:00 to 23:00 This line is staffed by trained volunteers and is aimed specifically at helping foreigners living in Japan. They offer counseling, referrals and information.
AJET Peer Support Group: 0120-437-725
Available 365 days a year from 20:00 to 8:00 AJET Peer Support Group is a strictly confidential and anonymous peer listening line and resource referral service offered by about 30 volunteers within the JET community who are trained to support counseling and crisis related calls, and are also available to JETs who just even want someone to talk to. It is available at times that other support is not, i.e. throughout the night. When you dial the line, you will be told the phone numbers of the volunteers on call at the time. Then you can dial one of those numbers.
MEXT ALT Advisor: 03-6734-3480
Available Monday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 to 17:45 The ALT Advisor works for the Ministry of Education and is available to give advice on educational issues.
International Mental Health Professionals Japan: IMHPJ is a multidisciplinary professional association of therapists who provide mental health services to the international communities in Japan. Most of their members are in the Tokyo area, but this is the best option for professional counseling services in English.
General Lifestyle Consultation In Niigata City: Niigata International Exchange Foundation: Consultation available in several languages including English. Please see the webpage for times (under "What's NFC?"). Located in the CrossPal building at 3-2086 Ishizuecho-dori, Niigata City. Tel: (025) 225-2727 or (025) 225-2777.
Niigata International Association: Consulation available by phone from volunteers in many different languages including English. Please see the webpage for times. Tel: 025-290-5650. Located in Toki Messe.
Association of HELP, Niigata: Consultation available in many languages including English on Mondays & Saturdays from 2-4pm. Please call in advance. Located at 191 Honmachi-dori, Niigata City. Tel: (025) 228-2212.
Niigata Kamome no Kai: Consultation available in several languages including English, Monday-Friday 9am-6pm. Please call in advance. Located at the Niigata Central Education Center, 3-16-2 Sasaguchi, Niigata City. Tel: (0120) 449-318 or (025) 244-4011.
In Nagaoka: Nagaoka International Association: Consultation about daily life for international residents available in English. Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm, Sat-Sun & Holidays 9am-6:30pm. Located at 2-2-6 Ote-dori, Nagaoka City. Tel: (025) 839-2714.
In Joetsu: Joetsu International Network (JOIN): Free, confidential consultation for interntational residents in several languages, including English. Please make an appointment: Saturdays only, 9am-5pm. Located in the International Affairs Centre on the second floor of the Shimin Plaza. Tel: 025-527-3615.
Consultation for Women In Niigata City:
Women's Support Niigata: Mondays 1pm-4pm, Wednesdays 7pm-9pm, Fridays 1pm-4pm. English consultation available if you call in advance. Tel: (025) 231-3012.
Women's Space Niigata: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 7pm-9pm, Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 2pm-5pm. In Japanese. Tel: (025) 201-4556.
Women's Rights Hotline: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. For dealing with sexual harrasment, violence & stalkers. In Japanese. Located in the Niigata District Protection Bureau, Human Rights Protection Division, 5191 Nishi Ohata-cho, Niigata City. Tel: (025) 229-0211.
Issues faced by female ALTs (pdf)
Guidelines for JETs dealing with Sexual Harrassment (pdf)
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