We think the real problems are the attention for the health, especially of university students. Besides that, how do we know if you or anyone have health problems or not. So here in our research, we are going to make sure that university students who play sports are mentally healthy or not by fieldwork. In addition, we are also looking at the effects of playing sports; playing sports improves their mental health. Moreover, our group wants to find and share some easy ways to keep and improve mental health.

2. Local and global problems and possibilities:

My group realized that maintaining mental health and wellbeing is very important to stay healthy and enjoy our life. But when we ask ourselves do we do something to maintain or improve our mental health? Most of the students maybe say "NO" including my group members. On the other hand, we only take the physical examination once a year and a stress survey to find any mental health problems in the university (but a stress survey is only for freshman, after being sophomore we don't get it anymore). Mental health is hard to see, also hardly to find, and I don't think the only simple question in the survey can help students find their real mental problems. This is a proof that not only students, but also teachers don't realize the importance of mental health in life. Additionally, even people have mental health problems didn't know they have them until it affects their daily life.

3. Other people (locally/globally) doing related work:

　We found some people doing something related to mental health on Instagram but it was difficult to contact them. They have huge followers so we understand why they couldn't reply us. At least we felt happy cause we had told them how much we appreciate their work, and they are one of the reasons we do this research. So, we will tell you some of their posts briefly. One person once posted that she is doing yoga, taking a walk in the nature, and trying to kayak. the other person posted to teach people about mental health. On its Instagram, it holds a place to talk about mental health. Here is the link: https://instagram.com/letstalk.mentalhealth

When I decide to start doing exercise, this is the one I watch to study: https://www.youtube.com/c/PamelaRf1

If you really need help in mental health problems, please contact Shizuoka Kendai University Students Counselling Service or 0570-064-556 (厚生労働省 のこころの健康相談統一ダイヤル)

4. What we noticed this semester (SNS diaries here)

Ko's: https://www.instagram.com/s_ko_83

Van's: https://www.instagram.com/onelittlecloud_/

Subaru's: https://www.instagram.com/brandnew_sbr/

5. Our fieldwork:

〈-Process-〉

Fri, 10 June 2022 : Create a list of question and possible risks, division of roles, set up meetings for fieldwork.

Fri, 24 June 2022 : Go to the student affairs department to ask for information about the time and the date that club activities are taking place.

Mon, 4 July 2022 : Go to the place; School gym and ground to observe (how many people are there and see their facial expressions) and interview some of the students who are playing sports. Take photos or videos of people who play sports. (If they allow, we want to make a video interview if they allow)

4~16 July 2022 Organize data, conclusion

Fri, 10 June 2022

We went outside and checked university's gym center and park. Unfortunately, we didn't meet anyone. We decided to think about possible risks and some others work for a questionnaire first.

〈-Possible risks-〉

We think about at least 3 risks.

Firstly, if we ask them directly "Are you mentally healthy?", most people will say that they're alright, everything is ok. Because mental health is something so private, no one can see it, no one can feel it except the person who gets through it. Sometimes even people with mental health problems don't know their situation.

Secondly, if we ask only a few members from one group, the answer will be all the same and don't have any value.

Finally, because it is an interview survey, the way how we ask is very important. If we ask some wrong questions or we accidentally try to force respondents to think the way we think, we will only get response bias.

→How will we deal with them?

1. Use many questions to lead to the main topic - mental health.

2. Ask as many groups as possible, in each group ask 2-3 people.

3. Thinking carefully about our questions, predict how respondents react to our question, for example, if there is anything that makes them uncomfortable or doesn't want to tell the truth.

Mon, 4 July 2022

There was no one on tennis court and park because it was a rainy day We asked 8 people who are playing sports at that moment. Three boys were in the basketball club, three girls were in the dance club and two people (boy and girl) were in the table tennis club.

Basketball:

A: He decided to play basketball but also likes individual sports because it improves his skills. He thought basketball was cool when he watched this game on TV for the first time. He can relax after playing basketball. He is very glad to start it because he can make friends with lots of people. Another thing he does to keep mentally healthy is to listen to music.

B; He started to play basketball in high school. He used to play baseball but he hated being bald so he choose basketball. He likes playing sports because he likes to exercise and move his body. He said he can relieve stress by playing sports. He also watches videos and talks with people to keep his mental health.

C; He started to play basketball after he entered university. When he was in high school, he had an opportunity to play basketball on a sports day. Also, he was dreaming to do the dunk shoot. He said that he likes to play basketball so playing it helps him so much. On the other hand, sometimes hard time pointing irritated him. To maintain mental health he is doing work out.

Dance:

A; When she was a kid, she wanted to start something and due to her friend, she started to dance. She said dancing is sometimes tiring but she feels fun and comfortable while and after dancing. She practices with groups more than twice a week. It depends on the event time and festival season. She eats a lot when she feels down and uneasy. She said eating is gonna help her so much.

B; She started to dance at the same time she enters this university. She used to do ballet and she likes to dance so much. In addition, she was fascinated by her seniors and came to think dancing is cool. While she is dancing she can forget everything like assignments and work. For her, dancing is like a chance to reset herself. She also likes to eat when she wants to de-stress.

C; She started dancing since 5 years old. She was dancing all the time when she was little so her mother recommended she officially started dancing. When she's dancing, she feels "I'm the best and I'm bitching". She also said she can be more cheerful and has positive thinking. Other things to keep her mental health are eating and listening to her favorite songs.

Table tennis:

A; She started table tennis in 3rd year in elementary school due to her brother's influence. She said she likes to play table tennis. She doesn't usually play sports or exercise except for playing table tennis. This sport helps relax. In addition to this, she listens to music and reads comic books.

B; He played table tennis since 1st year in middle school because it looked fun. He said he can forget about assignments and examinations while playing, it is also his favorite thing about playing table tennis. He can focus only on playing, forgetting reality, and feeling comfortable. He also takes a bath when he wants to de-stress.

6.The ways to keep and improve our mental health (suggestions).

Listening to music, watching movies, eating what you like, working out, and having conversations with people.

Those are just examples. The easiest way is to find what you like to do and try to make time to do that!!! This is the most important and effective way to keep and improve our mental health. Don't refuse yourself. Because your body doesn't lie, if anytime you feel not well, please take a break and find any help around.

7.What we learned through this field work.

Short Conclusion:

1. It’s hard to do in the beginning and the reason why people started doing sports is not very clear

2. Each people have a different kind of favorite sports

3. Some people likes sport at first, but others actually playing sports and become to like this.

4. Although they can play sports individual but most of them play in team. I think sport make them connect with each other, also improve their communication skills.