Staff of “Kobo Dormitory” is making bed.“Kobo Dormitory,”which means “rainbow hope dormitory,” a private residence for LGBT people living with mental disorder, opened in Nagoya. The group home was built by those who also suffer from depression and other mental disorders in the hope of providing a safe environment for people living with mental disorders.
“Kobo Dormitory” is sponsored by “Kobo-Kai”, a general incorporated association that supports LGBT individuals in Nagoya City. “Kobo-Kai” runs the group home and supports their residents based on Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act. 6 people with mental disorders, such as depression and panic disorder, now live in “Kobo Dormitory.”
“Kobo-Kai” uses one room as an office and their staff members work on site 24/7. The staffs members visit all the resident in the morning and evening every day. They also help the residents with shopping and cleaning and teach them how to write resumes so that the residents can return to work on their own.
4 of the 6 staff members are also LGBT people. The manager of “Kobo Dormitory,” Yuji Kanemaru was born as a girl, but lives as a man after sex reassignment surgery. After she went through 3 of her friends’ suicide, she made up her mind to create a safe place for those in struggle like her lost friends. It is said that LGBT individuals are prone to mental disorders.
A psychiatric social worker, Meguru Tsunematsu provides a consultation even if it is a small anxiety like “I just can’t sleep.” He said “Transgender patients are worried whether they can stay in a room based on their sex identity. I just want to provide them with a safe place. Please don’t kill yourself. You are not alone. That’s what I really want to tell to them.”
3 of the residents regained control of their lives and returned to work. An office manager in “Kobo Dormitory,” Saki Hayami said “The most remarkable change is higher self-esteem. Some residents experienced verbal abuse from their parents in the past and started to think that they were worthless. The residents here can stay away from that harsh environment and regain control of their lives and themselves.”
“Kobo-Kai” is planning to start a cafe as a part of employment support program next year.
Anyone, who has a medical examination history of depression over 6 months or are diagnosed with developmental disorder, can enter “Kobo Dormitory” without mental disability certificates. The monthly rent is 49,000 yen including utilities. The residents can also receive 10,000 yen as public rent subsidy.
2015/12/30