scholarly journals Dealing with Community Mental Health post the Fukushima disaster: lessons learnt for the COVID-19 pandemic

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (11) ◽  
pp. 787-788
Author(s):  
M Momoi ◽  
M Murakami ◽  
N Horikoshi ◽  
M Maeda
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Telephone Counseling ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Resource Information ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
The People ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Fukushima Disaster

Abstract Under the COVID-19 pandemic, mitigation of psychological distress is required. At present, the demand for remote intervention for the numerous affected people is increasing, and telephonic support can be useful. Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, we have been developing a large-scale telephonic support system and implementing brief interventions for the Fukushima people identified at risk of psychological problems such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In this article, we report the lessons from the Fukushima disaster that can be applied to the COVID-19 pandemic and describe how the telephonic intervention facilitates easier access to psychological help for people with a broad range of psychological distress who are not able to visit treatment or care resources. In our telephonic intervention, we first sent a mental health and lifestyle survey to the people affected by the Fukushima disaster. The counselor team then provided telephonic intervention to high-risk persons as identified on the basis of the survey results. The individuals had expected to receive from the telephonic system help mainly in the form of stress-coping methods, social resource information such as schools, public offices or medical facilities, and lifestyle advice. Since we also experienced that psychological care for telephone counselors was necessary to mitigate the substantial emotional burden, we used the following three approaches: (i) regular supervision of the telephone counseling methods, (ii) seminars for improvement of counseling skills and (iii) individual psychological support. The positive loops between counselors and consulters will help advance a society affected by a disaster.

scholarly journals Current Psychological Distress, Post-traumatic Stress, and Radiation Health Anxiety Remain High for Those Who Have Rebuilt Permanent Homes Following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9532
Author(s):  
Masatsugu Orui ◽  
Chihiro Nakayama ◽  
Nobuaki Moriyama ◽  
Masaharu Tsubokura ◽  
Kiyotaka Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Current Psychological

Objective: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 produced psychological reactions among evacuees. Despite the harsh situation, subsequently, there has been gradual progress in reconstruction, with more than half of the evacuees returning after the evacuation. Our hypothesis is that evacuee mental health will now be better due to new stable living conditions. This study aims to clarify the statuses of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress, and radiation health anxiety among evacuees who have rebuilt permanent homes after evacuation. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1600 residents was conducted in 2020. As primary outcomes, the survey measured psychological distress (Kessler 6), post-traumatic stress (post-traumatic stress four-item checklist), and radiation health anxiety. The data are compared for residents who have rebuilt permanent home and those who did not evacuate. Results: In the co-variant analysis, the statuses of psychological distress (p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress (p < 0.001), and radiation health anxiety (p < 0.001) are found to still be high, with significant differences when compared to those who did not evacuate. These results are still at an equivalent level for the continuing evacuation. Conclusion: Our findings may indicate a necessity for continuing disaster-related mental health activities even though the living conditions have improved.

Mental health consequences for survivors of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster: a systematic review. Part 1: psychological consequences

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Shigemura ◽  
Takero Terayama ◽  
Mie Kurosawa ◽  
Yuki Kobayashi ◽  
Hiroyuki Toda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Abstract To integrate scholastic literature regarding the prevalence and characteristics of the psychological consequences faced by survivors of the 2011 Fukushima earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster, we conducted a systematic review of survivor studies concerning the Fukushima disaster. In August 2019, four literature databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and ICHUSHI) were used in the literature search. Peer-reviewed manuscripts reporting psychological consequences, either in English or Japanese, were selected. A total of 79 studies were selected for the review. Twenty-four studies (30.4%) were conducted as part of the Fukushima Health Management Survey—large-scale cohort study recruiting the residents of the entire Fukushima prefecture. Study outcomes were primarily nonspecific psychological distress, depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The rates of high-risk individuals determined by the studies varied significantly owing to methodological differences. Nevertheless, these rates were mostly high (nonspecific psychological distress, 8.3%-65.1%; depressive symptoms, 12%-52.0%; and post-traumatic stress symptoms, 10.5%-62.6%). Many studies focused on vulnerable populations such as children, mothers of young children, evacuees, and nuclear power plant workers. However, few studies reported on the intervention methods used or their effect on the survivors. As a conclusion, high rates of individuals with psychological conditions, as well as a wide range of mental conditions, were reported among the Fukushima nuclear disaster survivors in the first 8 years after the disaster. These findings demonstrate the substantial impact of this compound disaster, especially in the context of a nuclear catastrophe.

Mental health and disaster related attitudes among Japanese after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 688-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuval Palgi ◽  
Menachem Ben-Ezra ◽  
Or Aviel ◽  
Yonit Dubiner ◽  
Evelyn Baruch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

scholarly journals Development of the RMT20, a composite screener to identify common mental disorders

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Batterham ◽  
Matthew Sunderland ◽  
Natacha Carragher ◽  
Alison L. Calear
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Epidemiological Surveys ◽  
General Psychological Distress

Background There are few very brief measures that accurately identify multiple common mental disorders. Aims The aim of this study was to develop and assess the psychometric properties of a new composite measure to screen for five common mental disorders. Method Two cross-sectional psychometric surveys were used to develop (n = 3175) and validate (n = 3620) the new measure, the Rapid Measurement Toolkit-20 (RMT20) against diagnostic criteria. The RMT20 was tested against a DSM-5 clinical checklist for major depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, with comparison with two measures of general psychological distress: the Kessler-10 and Distress Questionnaire-5. Results The area under the curve for the RMT20 was significantly greater than for the distress measures, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 across the five disorders. Sensitivity and specificity at prescribed cut-points were excellent, with sensitivity ranging from 0.85 to 0.93 and specificity ranging from 0.73 to 0.83 across the five disorders. Conclusions The RMT20 outperformed two established scales assessing general psychological distress, is free to use and has low respondent burden. The measure is well-suited to clinical screening, internet-based screening and large-scale epidemiological surveys.

Australia’s economic transition, unemployment, suicide and mental health needs

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Myles ◽  
Matthew Large ◽  
Hannah Myles ◽  
Robert Adams ◽  
Dennis Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Job Loss ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Public Mental Health Care ◽  
The Impact

Objective: There have been substantial changes in workforce and employment patterns in Australia over the past 50 years as a result of economic globalisation. This has resulted in substantial reduction in employment in the manufacturing industry often with large-scale job losses in concentrated sectors and communities. Large-scale job loss events receive significant community attention. To what extent these mass unemployment events contribute to increased psychological distress, mental illness and suicide in affected individuals warrants further consideration. Methods: Here we undertake a narrative review of published job loss literature. We discuss the impact that large-scale job loss events in the manufacturing sector may have on population mental health, with particular reference to contemporary trends in the Australian economy. We also provide a commentary on the expected outcomes of future job loss events in this context and the implications for Australian public mental health care services. Results and conclusion: Job loss due to plant closure results in a doubling of psychological distress that peaks 9 months following the unemployment event. The link between job loss and increased rates of mental illness and suicide is less clear. The threat of impending job loss and the social context in which job loss occurs has a significant bearing on psychological outcomes. The implications for Australian public mental health services are discussed.

Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oye Gureje ◽  
Victor O. Lasebikan ◽  
Lola Kola ◽  
Victor A. Makanjuola
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Composite International Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress

BackgroundLarge-scale community studies of the prevalence of mental disorders using standardised assessment tools are rare in sub-Saharan Africa.AimsTo conduct such a study.MethodMultistage stratified clustered sampling of households in the Yoruba-speaking parts of Nigeria. Face-to-face interviews used the World Mental Health version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI).ResultsOf the 4984 people interviewed (response rate 79.9%), 12.1% had a lifetime rate of at least one DSM–IV disorder and 5.8% had 12-month disorders. Anxiety disorders were the most common (5.7% lifetime, 4.1% 12-month rates) but virtually no generalised anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder were identified. Of the 23% who had seriously disabling disorders, only about 8% had received treatment in the preceding 12 months. Treatment was mostly provided by general medical practitioners; only a few were treated by alternative practitioners such as traditional healers.ConclusionsThe observed low rates seem to reflect demographic and ascertainment factors. There was a large burden of unmet need for care among people with serious disorders.

scholarly journals High Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Relation to Social Factors in Affected Population One Year after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e0151807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Tsujiuchi ◽  
Maya Yamaguchi ◽  
Kazutaka Masuda ◽  
Marisa Tsuchida ◽  
Tadashi Inomata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Factors ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster ◽  
One Year

scholarly journals The Benefits of Living With Close Others: A Longitudinal Examination of Mental Health Before and During a Global Stressor

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262110533
Author(s):  
Natalie M. Sisson ◽  
Emily C. Willroth ◽  
Bonnie M. Le ◽  
Brett Q. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Protective Function ◽  
The People ◽  
Longitudinal Examination ◽  
Unique Context

For better or worse, the people one lives with may exert a powerful influence on one’s mental health, perhaps especially during times of stress. The COVID-19 pandemic—a large-scale stressor that prompted health recommendations to stay home to reduce disease spread—provided a unique context for examining how the people who share one’s home may shape one’s mental health. A seven-wave longitudinal study assessed mental health month to month before and during the pandemic (February through September 2020) in two diverse samples of U.S. adults ( N = 656; N = 544). Preregistered analyses demonstrated that people living with close others (children and/or romantic partners) experienced better well-being before and during the pandemic’s first 6 months. These groups also experienced unique increases in ill-being during the pandemic’s onset, but parents’ ill-being also recovered more quickly. These findings highlight the crucial protective function of close relationships for mental health both generally and amid a pandemic.

scholarly journals A Survey of Psychological Symptoms One Month Post Discharge in Patients Infected with COVID 19

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (34) ◽  
pp. 2884-2887
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Joopaka ◽  
Molanguri Umashankar ◽  
Pingali Srilakshmi ◽  
Pradeep Sharma Telkapalli ◽  
Chinni Krishna Banoth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Corona virus disease or the (COVID 19) has caused mental health problems in the general population, in people infected and hospitalised for the disease and in patients who have recovered from the disease physically but continue to suffer from lingering mental health problems. Studies have shown stress, depression, and anxiety in one third of the survivors. Similarly post-traumatic stress disorder has been reported to be around 13 % in the survivors of COVID 19. In this study, we wanted to assess the psychological symptoms in the survivors of Covid 19 patients, one month post discharge and also assess various factors associated with the same. METHODS A cross sectional telephonic survey of the patients one month following discharge was done to understand the psychological problems. Sociodemographic data was recorded on a semi structured proforma, whereas psychological distress was recorded on patient health questionnaire - 4 (PHQ - 4) and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was screened for by the impact of event scale revised (IES - R). RESULTS Of the 200 patients evaluated, 46.8 % scored above 20 on the impact of event scale which was considered to be a positive screen for post-traumatic stress disorder. Moderate psychological distress was reported by 10.5 % and severe by 7.5 % as measured by PHQ - 4. Being married, having other family members effected by the infection and deaths in the family were some of the factors that were significantly associated with psychological distress and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS Continued mental health support needs to be extended to members who are considered to have recovered and discharged from the hospital following the COVID 19 infection. KEY WORDS COVID 19, Psychological Symptoms, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

scholarly journals Parental psychological distress associated with COVID-19 outbreak: A large-scale multicenter survey from Turkey

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097024
Author(s):  
Alperen Bıkmazer ◽  
Muhammed Tayyib Kadak ◽  
Vahdet Görmez ◽  
Uğur Doğan ◽  
Zeynep Dilara Aslankaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Parental Distress ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Multicenter Survey ◽  
The Impact

Aims Pandemics can cause substantial psychological distress; however, we do not know the impact of the COVID-19 related lockdown and mental health burden on the parents of school age children. We aimed to comparatively examine the COVID-19 related the stress and psychological burden of the parents with different occupational, locational, and mental health status related backgrounds. Methods A large-scale multicenter online survey was completed by the parents ( n = 3,278) of children aged 6 to 18 years, parents with different occupational (health care workers—HCW [18.2%] vs. others), geographical (İstanbul [38.2%] vs. others), and psychiatric (child with a mental disorder [37.8%]) backgrounds. Results Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being a HCW parent (odds ratio 1.79, p < .001), a mother (odds ratio 1.67, p < .001), and a younger parent (odds ratio 0.98, p = .012); living with an adult with a chronic physical illness (odds ratio 1.38, p < .001), having an acquaintance diagnosed with COVID-19 (odds ratio 1.22, p = .043), positive psychiatric history (odds ratio 1.29, p < .001), and living with a child with moderate or high emotional distress (odds ratio 1.29, p < .001; vs. odds ratio 2.61, p < .001) were independently associated with significant parental distress. Conclusions Parents report significant psychological distress associated with COVID-19 pandemic and further research is needed to investigate its wider impact including on the whole family unit.

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