The Filosofický ústav AV ČR - Institute of Philosophy and the PRAGUE COLLEGE OF PSYCHOSOCIAL STUDIES

invite to a conference on Social Isolation and Mental Deprivation in Prague.

The aim of the conference is to reflect on the increased incidence of mental disorders in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular the phenomenon of extreme social isolation in Japan known as hikikomori. Social deprivation caused by the pandemic has disproportionately affected children and adolescents, resulting in a significant increase in mental health problems. To understand the impact of social disconnection on mental health, the conference draws on insights from developmental psychology and, taking into account the unique challenges faced by the younger generation, applies a phenomenological approach influenced by authors such as Husserl, Heidegger, Patočka, and Bin Kimura.

As a potential solution to the current crisis in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care, we will attempt to present a self-help research and therapeutic model from Japan, known as tojisha kenkyu. Our goal is to combine tojisha kenkyu with phenomenological findings to offer a non- normative and destigmatizing approach to mental health issues. Conference participants will attempt to uncover the root causes and conditions that contribute to the increased incidence of mental health problems, while proposing a unique technique of self-help and self-support research that can be applied in psychotherapeutic practice.

Speakers: Prof. Joff Bradley, Prof. Tatsuya Higaki, Prof. Koichiro Kokubun, Prog. Gregg Lambert, Prof. Alex Taek-Gwang Lee, Dr. Yuki Yamamori, Dr. Akihiro Miyata, Dr. Yukiko Kuwayama, Dr. Lucie Vacková, Dr. Petr Kouba, Doc. Martin Nitsche, Dr. Petr Prášek

and Mag. Stephan Dietrich from the Österreichisches Daseinsanalytisches Institut.

The conference is held with the support of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Japan Society for Promotion of Science.

Participation in the conference is free of charge. Due to limited capacity, we kindly ask those interested in attending the conference to register via Prague College of Psychosocial Studies.

Date: November 19 and 20, 2025
Venue: Fortna – Hradčany Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, Hradčanské nám. 3/184, 118 00 Prague 1

Language: English