(I103) Issues of Mental Health during the Acute Phase of a Disaster in Japan—Lessons Learned

Abstract

Purpose:

To demonstrate features of the mental health care during the acute phase of a disaster due to natural hazards in Japan. This report will discuss issues in devastated area of Chuetsu in Niigata Prefecture after an offshore earthquake.

Methods:

The earthquake of 16 July 2007 had a magnitude 6.8. It injured 2,153 people, including 192 with severe injuries, and caused 14 deaths. The Tokyo Medical Association (TMA) deployed disaster medical relief teams on the day of the event, and performed mental care in internally displaced person (IDP) camps. Other mental care teams took over the mission three days after the event.

Results:

There were 27 medical teams was 27. They visited 88 IDP camps. Medical teams treated 2,288 cases during first four days. Forty-seven cases included psychiatric problems. Three of 13 refugees who had psychiatric symptoms needed new mediane. Four were under psychiatric treatment and could continue their treatment with their attending physicians.

Earthquake victims displayed the following characteristics during the acute phase: (1) poor adaptation in the elderly; (2) fluctuation of compliance for medications; (3) occult anxiety and complaints; and (4) unconsciousness of sleep disturbance.

Conclusions:

The development and education of liaison methods about mental health care during the acute phase of a disaster is needed for emergency physicians and general surgeons of Disaster Medical Assistance Team and Medical Association relief teams that perform treatment during the acute phase of disaster. They must understand and have skills for triage of different mental health cases.