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Recap of my participation in the 2022 TELL 21,007 Step Up Challenge

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· 3 min read
Josh Wong
Josh Wong
Content Strategist & Technical Writer

This year, I participated in the Step Up Challenge by TELL Japan, which is an event to honor the people who lost their lives to suicide in Japan in 2021. The purpose of this event is to raise mental-health awareness and funds for TELL to continue providing lifesaving services to the English-speaking community in Japan. Although you can participate in the event solo or as a group, I decided to join as an individual.

By registering for the event, you may be eligible to receive event goodies (while supplies last!). This year's goodie bag included a nice tote bag, which was perfect for holding my water bottle, phone, wallet, keys, and any groceries I bought during my walks.

2022 TELL Step Up Challenge swag: tote bag and sticker

2022 TELL Step Up Challenge swag: tote bag and sticker

For details about the Step Up Challenge and other events, see TELL Japan events.

Why I'm taking part in the 2022 Step Up Challenge​

I heard about TELL on Twitter a few years ago, but I didn't know about this event until I read about it on the "TELL 21,081 Steps" blog post on nanikore.net.

Living in Japan can get rough for nonnative residents. I had heard about how many foreigners struggle with how to proceed after around five years because of being homesick, wanting a better job, or other factors. I experienced a similar situation around my five-year anniversary mark. If I knew about TELL at that time, I believe I would have gotten the support that I needed and potentially saved quite a lot of yen on questionably helpful self-help books.

Simply put: I believe in TELL's services and want to support their mission.

How I participated in the 2022 Step Up Challenge​

To honor the 21,007 people who lost their lives to suicide in 2021, I walked 21,007+ steps around Tokyo on the following dates.

September 10, 2022 - 21,034 steps

2022 TELL Step Up Challenge: September 10, 2022 - 21,034 steps

September 17, 2022 - 22,197 steps

2022 TELL Step Up Challenge: September 17, 2022 - 22,197 steps

October 10, 2022 - 22,091 steps

2022 TELL Step Up Challenge: October 10, 2022 - 22,091 steps

Next year, I want to have some other activities lined up besides walking, like:

  • Writing blog posts that total X number of words,
  • Reading for X seconds of yoga within the event period, and/or
  • Creating a playlist that includes X seconds of easy-listening music to relax to.

Wrap-up​

Asahi Beer Hall and Tokyo SkyTree

View of the Asahi Beer Hall and Tokyo SkyTree from my walk on October 10, 2022

I'll definitely participate in this event in the future and continue to promote TELL's support services to English speakers. Now that I know a bit more about how the event works, I'll also consider participating with a small group next time.

For English speakers living in Japan who are struggling and need someone to talk to, I recommend contacting TELL through their Lifeline service. The organization's website also regularly posts on their blog and offers a plethora of resources if you prefer to get help at your own pace our outside of their support hours.

Many of us struggle at some point, so I highly recommend keeping TELL top of mind if you find yourself going through a difficult time.