••••7 Conclusion: Toward a Society with Fewer Educational and Institutional Support: Canada’s Mental Health Initiatives Body Image Struggles People are often reluctant to speak up due to fear of embarrassment or being judged. While Japan offers routine physical health checkups, equivalent mental health systems remain underdeveloped. As a result, individuals may not even recognize they need support—or they may hesitate to seek it, causing symptoms to worsen. In contrast, Canada actively promotes mental health awareness. Universities like mine offer accessible counseling services, and these resources are frequently mentioned in classes. Posters throughout campus encourage students to use them. This fosters an environment which asking for help is normalized and considered healthy. Importantly, not only must such services exist—they must also be visible and promoted. Accessibility alone is not enough; institutions must actively reduce psychological barriers to usage. With such initiatives, we can hope for a future in which “diverse beauty” and “valuing oneself” are natural parts of daily life in Japan. Such a shift has the potential not only to enhance self-esteem and mental health among youth but also to create a healthier, more inclusive society overall. In addition to body image and self-esteem differences, Japan and Canada diverge significantly in how they approach mental health at the societal level. The chart used in my University of Toronto mental health class illustrates the percentage of people with mental illness who actually receive treatment in each country. Despite being a high-income country, Japan had the lowest treatment rate. This can be attributed to the enduring stigma in Japan that equates seeking mental health care with weakness. This report has explored the impact of body image perception on young women's mental health, comparing the cultural and institutional frameworks of Japan and Canada. Based on this analysis, the following actions are recommended to address body image and mental health issues in Japan:Promote diversity in beauty standards through mediaand advertisingCultivate a culture that respects individuality and self-expressionStrengthen psychological support systems (e.g.,counseling centers, university mental health offices)and promote their useLower the barriers to accessing mental health servicesby increasing awareness and reducing stigma
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