Normalization and mental health support: a comparative study on day-activity facilities for people with mental disabilities in Japan and Sweden

Abstract

In many countries, including Japan and Sweden, societal help and support for people with mental disabilities have been reformed, with the aim of achieving a more normalized life and closer integration in the local community for this group. Day-activity facilities may be one tool for such a transition. In this article, three day-activity facilities in Japan and Sweden respectively are examined and compared. Managers at all six units were interviewed and given identical – qualitative and quantitative – questions. The data were systematically cross-culturally compared, and the results presented in seven categories: general conditions, activities, participants, organization/management/staff, finances, ideological features, and factors of success and failure. There is an overarching similarity between the two countries, but there are also differences in some respects. The Japanese units are private, while the Swedish units are publicly run. In both countries a broad range of activities are offered in the units. The Japanese units seem to stress factors of friendship, a calm environment and feeling comfortable and safe, while the Swedish units are somewhat more directed towards personal relations, support in daily life and job preparation. Day-activity facilities seem to facilitate normalization and integration in the local community, but need to be continuously scrutinized and improved.