At the En de Maru Foundation, we firmly believe that everyone is uniquely beautiful. We provide childcare support for those who tend to isolate themselves from others, aiming to prevent prenatal and postnatal depression, childcare-related stress, and abuse. We actively organize activities to strengthen parent-child bonds and plan and manage enjoyable events to bring vitality to the community.
I personally experienced isolation while raising my first son between the ages of one and three. After the birth of my second son, I noticed negative changes in myself. I became irritable and angry without apparent reason, constantly worrying about others’ opinions. I found myself being crabby and negative about everything, a departure from my usual cheerful and positive personality. Recognizing these changes as unusual, I sought help from a counselor, and to my surprise, I was diagnosed with moderate depression. Understanding the cause of my depression brought relief, and with the support of counseling and Oriental medicine, I slowly recovered.
This experience emphasized to me the importance of counseling in Japanese society. I encourage those who are suffering to seek counseling, as it can lead to significant positive changes.
In my effort to connect mothers, I started teaching baby massage at children’s centers and community spaces. Through this, I’ve learned the profound impact a small circle of 5 to 10 people can have in providing relaxation for mothers. I believe that by fostering a warm atmosphere with friendly smiles and joyful conversation, we can contribute to reducing child abuse and promoting a more connected and supportive environment for child-rearing, free from isolation.