Chapter I

Miyagi Disaster Mental HealthCare Center Activity Status

1. FY2019 Activity Report
2. Departmental Initiatives
3. Initiatives of Contracted Institutions/Organizations

1. FY2019 Activity Report

FY2019 Activity Report by Project ItemFY2019 Miyagi Mental Care Forum Implementation Report
Children’s Mental Care Community Base Project16

FY2019 Activity Report by Project Item17

FY2019 Activity Report by Project ItemFY2019 Activity Report by Project Item
Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center
Stem Center – Planning and Research Department
Manager, Psychiatric Social Worker Yuichi Watanabe
Chief, Psychiatric Social Worker Tetsuro Higuchi

Introduction
The proposition for FY2019, which marked the ninth year since the establishment of the Miyagi Disaster
Mental Health Care Center (henceforth, the “Center”), was a summary of the activities thus far with related
institutions and a study on the Center’s activities in the second period after FY2021, based on the “State of
Mental Care and the System of the Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center from FY2021 Onwards,”
as presented by the prefecture.
We have held meetings with related institutions in each area since the beginning of the fiscal year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in the latter half of the fiscal year affected multiple Center projects andprevented the implementation of various projects, such as home visit support, training projects, and meeting
liaison coordination.
We report on the following, taking into account that the fiscal year was affected by special circumstances.
1. Overall Performance in FY2019
Table 1 below shows the number of cases for each of the project items.
The overall number of cases for resident support decreased from 6,451 in FY2018 to 6,308. However,when broken down by support division, the Kesennuma Center (2,235 cases in FY2018) and the StemCenter (1,099 cases in FY2018) showed decreases, while the Ishinonaki Center (1,229 cases in FY2018)
and municipal secondment (1,767 cases in FY2018) increased.
With regard to other projects’ performance, supporter support showed slight decreases (1,390 cases in
FY2018 → 1,183 cases), but no other projects have showed major changes in the implementation number
since FY2018.
Table 1. Number of activities by affiliation
Community support division bycommunity center
Kesennuma Ishinomaki Stem Municipal
secondment
Resident support
Supporter support
Raising publicawareness
Human resource development
Support for various
activities
Research
Meeting liaison coordination

Planning
Department

Stem Center
management

Parttime /
contract

Supporters,
etc.

Total

2,190
59
182

1,318
228
35

400
210
22

2,013
590
75

31
1
43

51
50
43

7
5
13

28
40
2

6,038
1,183
415

24

12

13

4

32

35

8

5

133

6

0

3

2

1

2

0

0

14

1
521

0
373

0
150

0
652

1
111

9
46

0
3

0
2

11
1,858

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FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8
2. Changes for each project item
(1) Resident support (Table 2)
Regarding the number of cases handled, organized by support method, the overall decreased from6,366 cases in FY2018 to 5,964 in FY 2019. Among these, the number of home visits has greatly decreased
from 2,162 cases to 1,843. This is thought to be due to the decrease in the number of health survey responses, which are the primary source of home visit responses (490 cases in FY2018 → 296 cases, Table3). There were no major changes in the number of cases using other support methods, and we can see thatthe opportunities for home visit responses are decreasing every year.
Table 2. Number of cases by support method (excluding letters; N = 5,964)
Support method
Consultations via home visits
Walk-in consultations (including correspondence at consultation desk, etc.)
Telephone consultations
Consultations in group activities
Case meetings (if subject is present)

Number of cases
1,843
1,806
1,917
261
13

Accompanying consultations
Other
Total

59
65
5,964

Table 3. Routes for initial support from the Center (multiple selections; N = 720)
Consultation route
Health survey / visits to all households
From administrative institutions
From an individual
From family/relatives
From support center / temporary housing support staff
From medical/welfare institutions
Other (neighborhood, workplace, unknown)

Number of cases
296
143
162
119
2
32
74

a. Gender, age, and employment status (Fig. 1)
There were no notable features emerging from the gender ratio in FY2018, but in FY2019, the percentage of male counselees was higher than female counselees in all generations, with the exception of the
51−60 age group; particularly high percentages were seen for the 61−70 and over 70 age groups.

FemaleMaleWork / self-employed (including leave)
Student
UnemployedAge group
unknownover 70 years
old

61-70
years old

51-60
years old

41-50
years old

31-40
years old

21-30
years old

Under 21years old

Unknown

Fig. 1. Number of supported people by gender and age group (total number of cases; N = 5,964)-6-

FY2019 Activity Report by Project Itemb. Disaster status
This shows the bereavement status and subject (Figs. 2, 3), as well as the disaster status, such as injury
status (Figs. 4, 5) and housing damage (Figs. 6, 7). The overall number of subjects has somewhat decreased, but there were no major changes in the percentage for any item.
ParentBereavement
1,092
18%

SpouseChild
Sibling

Unknown
2,963
50%

Grandparent
No bereavement
1,909
32%

GrandsonRelative other than
the above
FriendNeighbor

Fig. 2. Bereavement status(number of reported cases; N = 5,964)
Injury102
2%Fig. 3. Details of bereavement(number of reported cases, multiple selection; N = 1,092)

Individual
ParentSpouseChild

No injury
2,557
43%

SiblingGrandparent

Unknown
3.305
55%

GrandsonRelative other than
the above
FriendNeighbor

Fig. 4. Presence or absence of injury to the individualor close relatives (number of reported cases; N = 5,964)

Fig. 5. Details of injuries(number of reported cases, multiple selection; N = 102)

Complete destruction
Unknown
1.288
22%Partial destruction
Partial damage

No housing
damage1.314
22%

Housing
damage3.362
56%Forced eviction fromhome
Voluntary evacuation
Unknown

Fig. 6. Presence or absence of housing damage (number of reported cases; N = 5,964)

Fig. 7. Details of housing damage(number of reported cases; N = 3,362)-7-

FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8

c. Living conditions (Table 4, Figs. 8 and 9)
This section confirms the current living conditions. In all areas, most residents either rebuilt their homes
or live in disaster public housing. We can see that the percentage of residents living in temporary housing
has decreased considerably compared to initial levels (Table 4). When comparing subjects’ living conditions by division, it is evident that the percentage of people transferring from disaster public housing in
the Ishinomaki area and the percentage of residents living at home in the Kesennuma area were both high(Fig. 8). Furthermore, the high percentage of people living alone in disaster public housing remained at
the same level as in FY2018 (Fig. 9).
Table 4. Current living environment (number of reported cases; N = 5,964)
Living environment
Resident in own home
Resident in prefabricated temporary housing
Resident in private chartered temporary housing
Resident in disaster public housing
Other/unknown
0

1000

Number of cases
3,315
28
30
2,404
187

2000

3000

Kesennuma C Support Division
Ishinomaki C Support Division

Planning Department

Own home
Prefabricated temporary
housing
Private chartered temporary
housing
Disaster public housing

Stem C management

Other / unknown

Stem C Support Division
Secondment

Part-time / contract
Supporters’ clubs, etc.

Fig. 8. Current living conditions for each division
0

1000

2000

3000

4000

Own home
SinglePrefabricated temporary housing

Cohabitation

Private chartered temporary housing

Other / unknown

Disaster public housing

Other / unknown

Fig. 9. Living environment and household conditions (number of reported cases; N = 5,964)-8-

FY2019 Activity Report by Project Item
d. Consultation background (Fig. 10)
No changes have been seen since FY2018 for the top five items. Slight percentage decreases since
FY2018 were seen for “addiction” (FY2018, 14.4% → 11.1%) and “anxiety about the future” (FY2018,
9.4% → 4.3%), while an increase was seen for “utilization of social resources” (FY2018, 7.2% → 9.0%).

Mental disorders
Family / household
Health problems
Interpersonal relationships
Addiction
Utilization of social resources
Unemployment / working
Changes in housing environment
Economic / lifestyle reconstruction problems
Occupational concerns
Anxiety towards the future
Aging-related problems
Education / child-rearing / school transfer
Loss of relative
Radiation
Other / unknown
None in particularFig. 10. Percentage of consultation backgrounds among the valid responses(number of reported cases, multiple responses; N = 5,964)

e. Mental disorders (Fig. 11)
Other than a slight increase in mood-related/affective symptoms and hallucinatory/delusional symptoms (FY2018, 25.2% → 26.4%) and a slight decrease in addiction problems (FY2018, 7.6% → 7.0%),
there were no changes of note in comparison with FY2018.

Mood-related / affective symptoms
Physical symptoms
Anxiety symptoms
Sleep issues
Addiction problems
Hallucinatory / delusional symptoms
Behavioral issues
Compulsive symptoms
Epilepsy / seizures
Consciousness disordersChild-specific symptoms
Dissociative / conversive symptoms
Other symptoms
No symptoms

Fig. 11. Percentage breakdown of mental disorders among the valid responses(number of reported cases, multiple responses; N = 5,964)-9-

FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8
f.

Presence of psychiatric consultation, illness name, time of onset, and current treatment history (Table 5, Fig. 12)
With regard to consultation history and current treatment status, the total number of cases has
somewhat decreased since FY2018, but the total ratio compositions are virtually identical to thosein FY2018. With regard to the “number of cases by illness category for those with consultation
history present/a diagnosed illness,” there was an increased number of cases for F3 (FY2018, 777
cases → 964 cases) and F0 (FY2018, 33 cases → 95 cases), and a decreased number of cases for F2(FY2018, 700 cases → 523 cases) and F1 (FY2018, 367 cases → 184 cases).
The trends (percentages) of a high pre-disaster onset for F2 and a high post-disaster onset for F2
were the same as in the previous years.
Table 5. Consultation history and current treatment status (number of reported cases; N = 5,964)
Psychiatric consultation(ongoing treatment)(treatment concluded)
Consultation history present(treatment suspended)(untreated)(unknown treatment status)
Consultation history absent
Consultation history unknown
0
F0
F1

F9

400

600

800

1000

1200

Organic, Including Symptomatic, Mental Disorders

Mental and Behavioral Disorders due to Psychoactive Substance Use
F2 Schizophrenia, Schizotypal and Delusional Disorders
F3

F5

200

Number of cases
2,070
165
510
33
54
2,371
761

Mood (Affective) Disorders

F4 Neurotic, Stress-related and Somatoform Disorders
Behavioral Syndromes Associated with Physiological Disturbancesand Physical Factors
F6 Disorders of Adult Personality and Behavior
F7 Mental Retardation
F8 Disorders of Psychological Development
Behavioral and Emotional Disorders with Onset Usually Occurring inChildhood and Adolescence
G4 Epilepsy
No specific diagnosis

Onset after
disasterPresent prior
to disaster
Unknown

Unknown

Fig. 12. Number of cases by illness classification for persons with a history of consultation /a diagnosed illness (number of reported cases, multiple responses; N = 2,832)

. Support content
a. Number of cases by support method for each division (Fig. 13)
The total number of cases handled slightly decreased from 6,366 cases in FY2018 to 5,964 cases in
FY2019. There were no major changes in the number of cases handled at the Kesennuma Center and the
Ishinomaki Center, but the number of cases handled by seconded individuals has increased, and there
have been decreases in the Stem Center Support Division since FY2018.
When looking at the breakdown by division, the Kesennuma Center had a high percentage of walkin consultations. In contrast, at the Ishinomaki Center, home visits and telephone correspondence had thehighest percentages. The number of telephone correspondence cases at the Stem Center Support Division
was small, and we can see differences in correspondence by area. These trends have remained unchanged
since FY2018.

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FY2019 Activity Report by Project Item

Consultations via home visitations
Walk-in consultations
Telephone consultations
Consultations in group activities
Case meetings (if subject is present)8
Accompanying consultations
Other

Other case meetings(if subject is present)
Telephone consultations
Consultations via home
visitations

Fig. 13. Number of cases by support method for each division (number of reported cases; N = 5,964)

b. Breakdown of counselees (Fig. 14)
As in FY2018, the majority of counselees were individuals, followed by family and relatives, andthis trend has continued, as in previous years. “Other supporters” has been declining each year, and the
FY2019 portion was approximately half that of FY2018. It is thought that the cause is the decrease in
the number of earthquake disaster-related supporters due to the withdrawal of support organizations.
0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Individual

6000
5218

Family / relative
Neighbor
Acquaintance / friend
Workplace
Administration
Temporary housing support staff
District welfare officer / ward head
Other supporters
Other

Fig. 14. Number of cases by counselee (N = 5,964)

c. Attendance by other institutions (Fig. 15)
Cooperation with local governments comprised a majority, as in previous years, but its percentage
decreased in FY2019 (FY2018, 71% → 66.3%), while cooperation with medical institutions (FY2018,
6.7% → 13.9%) and health centers (FY2018, 3.6% → 7.4%) has increased.
In each division (Fig. 16), seconded individuals cooperated with medical institutions, health centers,
and welfare-related organizations other than those in charge of local government. Notable characteristics
of individual centers include the Kesennuma Center’s high level of cooperation with other related organizations and the Stem Center Support Division being almost entirely comprised of local government officials, whose attendance was also high.

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FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8

Local government
Medical institution
Welfare-related organization
Health center
Support Center
Other

Fig. 15. Percentage of other attending institutions among the valid responses(number of reported cases, multiple selection; N = 923)

Kesennuma C Support Division
Ishinomaki C Support Division

Local government

Stem C Support Division

Medical institution
Welfare-related organization

Secondment

Health Center
Support center / temporary housing
support staff, etc.
Other

Planning Department
Stem C management
Part-time / contract
Supporters’ clubs, etc.

Fig. 16. Breakdown of other attending institutions by division(number of reported cases, multiple selection; N = 923)

. Support conclusion status
With regard to the outcome following response, a large percentage indicated “ongoing,” as in
FY2018 (Table 6). When compared to FY2018, the percentage of “regular interviews” increased
from 49% to 56%, but otherwise no major changes were seen.
With regard to the breakdown of referrals to other institutions, the percentage of referrals to“local governments” decreased (FY2018, 56.8% → 42.4%), while the percentage of referrals to“welfare institutions” and “medical institutions” increased (FY2018, 16.8% → 22.7% and FY2018,
16.8% → 24.2%, respectively).
Table 6. Outcome (N = 5,964)
Correspondence status
Number of cases
Regular inter3,393
view
Ongoing (total)Interview when
1,937
neededOther
0
Improvement553
of status
Referral to an66
Concluded (acother institutual number)tion
Support re13
fused
Other
2

Local government
Welfare institution
Medical institution
Work-related
Law-related
Other

Fig. 17. Percentage breakdown of referrals to other institutions among the valid responses (number of reported
cases, multiple selection; N = 66)- 12 -

FY2019 Activity Report by Project Item
. Summary
The total number of cases in FY2019 decreased by about 400: from 6,451 in FY2018 to 6,038
in FY2019 (for comparison, FY2016: 6,752 cases; FY2017: 7,237 cases). The primary reason forthis is thought to be the large decrease in the number of cases handled by the Stem Center Support
Division, which dropped to less than half that of FY2018 (FY2018: 1,099 cases → 400 cases). Thisis thought to be attributable to the decrease in the number of home visits after the administration ofhealth surveys of the relevant areas at the request of local governments in connection with stabilizing living conditions, as well as the handing over of duties taken on by the Center in anticipationof the second phase of the Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center to local government officials
from FY2021 onward.
For each consultation background item (Fig. 10), such as mental disorder breakdown (Fig. 11)
and presence of consultation history by disease (Fig. 12), items related to addiction have decreased
in proportion or rank, revealing changes in the issues faced by the coastal regions.
With regard to the number of cases handled, the Kesennuma Center remained virtually thesame as in FY2018 (FY2018, 2,235 cases → 2,190 cases), while the number of cases handled by
the Ishinomaki Center and seconded individuals increased, and the coastal areas continued to handle a large volume of cases (Ishinomaki Center: FY2018, 1,229 → 1,318 cases) (seconded individuals: FY2018, 1,767 cases → 2,013 cases). Home visits and interviews were greatly restricted in
the latter half of the fiscal year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but these were not reflected innumerical values.
(2) Supporter support
We provided support for supporters in affected areas through participation in case meetings and thehosting of workshops. We offered advice and guidance from a professional standpoint and also implemented professional dispatches to local governments.
. Support recipients (Table 7)
Looking at the supporter support implementation content, the number of cases handled slightly
decreased (FY2018, 1,390 cases → 1,183 cases). However, “professional guidance/advice” and“case meetings,” which were associated with a large volume of cases in FY2018 decreased considerably (FY2018, 344 cases → 190 cases; FY2018, 339 cases → 236 cases).
Many of the subjects were government officials, followed by associates in education, welfare,and medicine, although small in number (Fig. 18).
The breakdown by implementation of supporter support according to division (Fig. 19) showsthat the total number of seconded individuals far exceeded that of other divisions. A further breakdown of this showed that support for administrative work constituted a large percentage. High participation percentages for the “establishment of mental consultation desks” at the Kesennuma Center, “professional advice/guidance” at the Ishinomaki Center, and “case meetings” at the Stem Center Support Division were seen, and it is evident that each area was different. Stem Center management occupations and supporters’ clubs had a high percentage of “professional advice/guidance.”
Other than the significant decrease in the number of cases handled at the Stem Center Support
Division, there were no major changes in either the number or content compared to FY2018.
As for a breakdown of professional advice and guidance (Table 8), alcohol problems and abusedecreased respectively from 39 cases and 59 cases in FY2018 to 14 cases and 25 cases in FY2019.
The breakdown by division (Fig. 20) shows that the overall number of cases decreased from 344
cases in FY2018 to 190 cases, with a significantly lower percentage in the Stem Center Support
Division and among seconded individuals. A breakdown of the 145 cases in the “Other” section,
which had the largest percentage, shows that it was due to the “advice/guidance (excluding “abuse”)”
related to children’s mental health.

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FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8
Table 7. Supporter support implementation status (number of reported cases; N = 1,183)
Support content
Number of cases
Number of subjects
Reports after
89
123
home visits/interviews
Professional guid190
749
ance/advice
Community issues
22
112
Occupational
1342
mental care
Case meetings (if
236
1,055
the subject is absent)
Establishment of
63
77
mental consultation desks
Medical examina118
365
tion support
Administrative384
650
work support
Other
68
370
Total
1,183
3,543

Table 8. Details of professional guidance/advice (numberof reported cases, multiple selection; N = 190)
Details of professional guidance/adNumber of cases
vice

Alcohol problems

14

Gambling problems

0

Substance abuse problems

1

Depression

14

Complicated grief0

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2

Abuse

25

Other

145

Government official
Child welfare
Educator
Private organization
Regional comprehensive support centerCouncil of social welfare
Medical personnel
Disability welfare
Elderly welfare
Support center
Volunteers
Municipal officer
Enterprise
District welfare officer / ward head
Judiciary official
PoliceFirefighter
Professional association
Self-help G
Health promotion member
Other regional positions
Temporary housing support staff
Self-Defense Force
Firefighting organization
Public organization
Other

Fig. 18. Details about support recipients (total number of reported cases; N = 3,543)- 14 -

FY2019 Activity Report by Project Item

Reports after home visitations / interviews

Kesennuma C Support Division

Guidance / advice from a professional standpoint
Ishinomaki C Support Division
Community issues
Stem C Support Division

Occupational mental care

Secondment
Case meetings (if subject is absent)
Planning Department

Establishment of mental consultation desks

Stem C management

Medical examination support

Part-time / contract

Administrative work support

Supporters, etc.

Other

Fig. 19. Supporter support implementation status by division(number of reported cases, multiple selection; N = 1,183)
0

１００Kesennuma C Support Division

Alcohol problems

Ishinomaki C Support Division

Gambling problems
Substance abuse problems

Stem C Support Division

Depression

Secondment

Complicated grief

Planning Department

PTSD
Stem C management
Abuse

Part-time / contract

Other
Supporters, etc.

Fig. 20. Details of professional guidance/advice by division(number of reported cases, multiple selection; N = 190)

. Placement of professionals in local governments
Seconded individuals were dispatched in response to requests from local governments for
FY2019 as well. Seven individuals were assigned to seven local governments, as in FY2018. One
was an occupational therapist (Ishinomaki), and the others were psychiatric social workers (Kesennuma, Minamisanriku, Onagawa, Higashimatsushima, Shiogama, and Natori).
Dispatches to Ishinomaki and Shiogama concluded in FY2019, and it is anticipated that all seconded individual dispatches will be concluded in FY2020.
. Summary
The number of cases for supporter support project implementation decreased from 1,390 cases
in FY2018 to 1,183 cases in FY2019 and has shown a tendency to decline annually. The number ofresident support-related consultation cases has decreased, and decreases in the percentage of alcohol
problems in seeking professional advice/guidance have been seen, particularly for seconded individuals.
A factor in the overall decrease in the number of cases for supporter support implementation in
FY2019 was the transition to the phase two mental care center at the end of FY2020. Some local
governments have reviewed the role that the Center has continuously taken on until now and havebegun to investigate new project implementation systems for the future. Particularly for the area thatwas managed by the Stem Center Community Support Division, initiatives for cooperation with local
government officials have been seen for home visits, which have been handled by the Center until
now; new practices are being implemented with an eye to the future of local governments.

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FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8(3) Raising public awarenessIn addition to creating products for raising public awareness and distributing them when
hosting public awareness dissemination workshops, we also used websites and mailed magazines to distribute training information and related information sponsored by related organizations. We established mental consultation desks at hosted events and also handled extra-prefectural inspections and media coverage.
. Issuance of products for raising public awareness and production content
In addition to distributing new posters addressing children’s self-care at public elementaryand junior high schools and educational committees in FY2019 (excluding Sendai city), we also
distributed clear files with the same content to participants at children’s workshops (Table 9).
Distribution area

Entire prefecture

Table 9. Pamphlet creation status
Title/Content
Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center pamphlet
Symptoms and illnesses occurring due to alcohol
consumption
Comprehension and response to children’s mental
healthClear files on self-care that even children can do(for children)
Clear files on self-care that even children can do(for the general public)
Poster on self-care that even children can do

New/Reprinted
Reprint

Number of copies
4,000

Reprint

3,000

Reprint

1,000

New

400

New

400

New

550

. Public awareness dissemination training (Table 10)
We have identified a certain quantifiable degree of need related to “About stress and mental
care/self-care” and “About addiction problems (alcohol problems, etc.)” every year until now, butthese both decreased in FY2019. Content related to the earthquake disaster, such as “Mental reactions
after the earthquake disaster” and “About the status of the affected area and the Center’s activities”
are also decreasing annually, but “The earthquake disaster’s effect on children” has been increasing
since FY2018 (FY2018: 3 cases → 9 cases).
Table 10. Details of public awareness dissemination training (N = 69)
Frequency
Mental reactions after the earthquake disaster
About mental illness
Basic skills when listening to stories (focusing your attention,
handling bereaved families, etc.)
About addiction problems (alcohol problems, etc.)
The earthquake disaster’s effect on children
About stress and mental care/self-care
About physical health
About occupational mental health
About the status of the affected area and the Center’s activities

074

Number ofparticipants
0
188
141

20
9
26
0
2
1

113
342
1,047
0
33
4

. Salon activities
In addition to seconded individuals’ cooperation in hosting local government-sponsored salons(local resident exchange projects), each support center has held various salon activities as a venue
for resident gatherings and exchange (Table 11). However, these activities are in a transitional period.
There are clubs that have already concluded their operations and are transitioning to alumni associations, such as the Koko Café in Kesennuma and the Men’s Club in Natori. Investigations into Koko
Farm’s and Utsukushima Salon’s current activities have been conducted to determine how theyshould operate in the future. Participants have voiced a desire for their continuation, but there has
been no confirmation from the prefectures that they will act as contractors after FY2021, hence theneed to clarify their direction during FY2020. At the Utsukushima Salon, discussion periods havebeen set up with participants from FY2018, and investigations have been conducted concerning future hosting situations. However, this has been suspended since March 2020 due to the impact of
COVID-19, and the discussions have not made any headway.
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FY2019 Activity Report by Project Item
Table 11. Salon activities (N = 124)

Sponsored/co-sponsored salons
Cooperation from other institutions for salons

Each center’s community support division
Kesennuma Ishinomaki Stem
Secondment
29
17
15
0
9
0
0
40

Other

Total

14
0

75
49

. Summary
We have been publishing the English version of the bulletin on the Center’s website since FY2018
to promote our initiatives. Vols. 5 and 6 were published in FY2019, and we also created English versions
of Vols. 3, 4, and 7. We will continue to publish all future bulletins, and we are also investigating the
publication of official activity records that are scheduled to be issued in the future. We would like tocontinue to actively utilize the website as a tool to disseminate our efforts thus far.
(4) Human resource development (Table 12)
We hosted various workshops and case study meetings for professionals and supporters. Addiction-related workshops primarily focused on alcohol have been on a decreasing trajectory annually, but each year
there have been many requests for participation in the in-hospital training implemented for local government employees. Support skills workshops with themes such as attentive listening, stress, and self-carehave shown a decreased overall number of implemented cases since FY2018, but the “Other” item has
increased, up from 37 cases in FY2018. A breakdown includes mental exercise workshops, a psychologicalsupport skills improvement course, psychological first aid, and CBT workshops co-sponsored by the
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Endowed Department of Preventive Psychiatry (henceforth, “Endowed department”); in addition, there are the World Health Organization (WHO) edition PFA
workshops and the children’s edition PFA workshops. The preventive course concluded its activities in
FY2019, but there is still a strong need for some of the workshops that have been sponsored until now. Nine
years after the earthquake disaster, interest in support has changed; thus, is necessary to determine how to
respond to community supporters’ needs in the future.
Table 12. Human resource development implementation status (N = 133)
Content
Earthquake disaster exchange meeting
Media conference
Addiction-related problems(About alcohol)(About other addictions)Support skills workshop(About attentive listening)(About stress and mental care/self-care)(Other)Supporter mental health workshop
Occupational mental health workshop
Children’s mental health workshop
Elderly mental health workshop
Suicide countermeasure-related workshop
Mental illness/disability workshop
Status of the affected area and the Center’s activities
Case study
Other
Total

Frequency
0
0
10
(10)
(0)
50
(1)
(2)
(47)
8
8
19
3
17
7
8
1
2
133

Number of participants
0
0
175
(175)
(0)
1,399
(150)
(34)
(1,215)
186
176
1,547
247
733
557
312
14
44
5,390

(5) Research (Table 13)
Research presentations at academic societies and symposia numbered 11 in FY2019, including threepresentations overseas. Bulletin Vol. 7 was also published in FY2019 and widely distributed to associatedinstitutions.

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FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8
Table 13. Research
Activityyear

Activitymonth

PresenterResearch title

Details

2019

June

Naru Fukuchi

Mothers’ mental health andcommunity support practices

2019

June

Mitsuaki
Katayanagi

School education in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and publicawareness dissemination activities through psychiatric/medical care/welfare cooperation

2019

June

Naru Fukuchi

Mental health of mothers
who have children born after
the 2011 disaster2019

AugustNaru Fukuchi

Reactions to children’s mental health and support forchildren’s mental health2019

AugustNaru Fukuchi

2019

AugustYuichi
WatanabeInterviewing adoptive andfoster parents who have children with developmental disabilities:
preliminary interview for developing special parent training programs
Significance and issues ofsalon activities in the affected area — the progress ofsalon activities for evacuees
from outside Fukushima Prefecture

Presented as “Mothers’ mental health and community
support practices” at the 18th Japanese Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (Kyoto, June 15−16, 2019) Symposium D-1, [Development/mental health of children bornafter the Great East Japan Earthquake and family support –– current status of the affected area eight years
later].
Presented as “School education in areas affected by theGreat East Japan Earthquake and public awareness dissemination activities through psychiatric/medicalcare/welfare cooperation” at the 115th Japanese Societyof Psychiatry and Neurology Annual Meeting (Niigata
Prefecture, June 20−22, 2019) Symposium 13 [Cooperation in schools and communities toward mental healthprevention].
Planned for the 18th European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP) International Congress(Vienna, June 30−July 2, 2019) in the child cohort-related symposium S-16 [Current situation and challenges, and future direction in the disaster areas after theGreat East Japan Earthquake (GEJE)- Multiple outcomes from a longitudinal study targeting children andfamilies]. Also presented by a symposiast under the title“Mental health of mothers who have children born after
the 2011 disaster.”
Lecture presented as “Reactions to children’s mental
health and support for children’s mental health” at the29th Conference of the Japanese Society of Child HealthNursing (Sapporo, August 3−4, 2019), disaster-related
theme session.
Presented as “Interviewing adoptive and foster parents
who have children with developmental disabilities: preliminary interview for developing special parent training
programs” at the Jyväskylä University International Exchange Meeting – Japan-Jyväskylä Foster Parents Research Conference (Finland, August 29, 2019), reports
from Japan.
Presented as “Significance and issues of salon activities
in the affected area – the progress of salon activities forevacuees from outside Fukushima Prefecture” during
the 18th Japanese Association of Psychiatric Social
Workers Annual Meeting (Nagoya, August 30−31,2019).

2019

September

2019

September

HiromiNakagawa
Naru Fukuchi

Creation of the FY2018 Bulletin Vol. 7
Challenges to be tackled in
the community in preparation for a major disaster

2019

OctoberYuichi
Watanabe

What impact did outreachsupport after the earthquake
disaster have on community
mental health and welfare?

- 18 -FY2018 Bulletin Vol. 7 was created and issued, and distributed to 944 locations.
Presented as “Challenges to be tackled in the community
in preparation for a major disaster” at the 37th JapaneseSociety of Psychosomatic Pediatrics Annual Meeting[Creating a loving and peaceful future for children —collective wisdom of pediatric psychosomatic medicine](Hiroshima Prefecture, September 13−15, 2019), disaster-related session.
Participated in the 27th Japanese Association for Emergency Psychiatry Annual Meeting (Miyagi Prefecture,
October 18−19, 2019) Symposium 1 [New community
care practices in the affected area, from preventative activities to psychiatric emergency –– outreach activities
in the three affected prefectures]. Fukuchi chaired thesymposium, and Watanabe provided the topic “WhatFY2019 Activity Report by Project Item

2019

NovemberNaru Fukuchi

Examination of adoption
support for raising children
with developmental disabilities — insights based on thequalitative analysis of adoption interviews

2019

NovemberNaru Fukuchi

The psychological impact ofthe 2011 disaster on the Japanese community

impact did outreach support after the earthquake disaster
have on community mental health and welfare?”Poster presentation of “Examination of adoption support
for raising children with developmental disabilities —insights based on the qualitative analysis of adoption interviews” at the 122nd
Japanese Society of Pediatric Psychiatry and Neurology(Fukui Prefecture, November 2-3, 2019), poster session.
Collaborators: Kansai Medical University, Dr. Ishizaki,
and six others
Participation as a symposiast at the Northeast Asia
Peace & Healing Conference (Jeju Island, South Korea),sponsored by the International Peace Center Jeju. Lecture delivered under the title of “The Psychological impact of the 2011 disaster on the Japanese community.”(6) Support for various activities (Table 14)
Fourteen cases provided support for various activities concerning other organizations’ initiatives in
FY2019, and we responded to requests from JICA(Japan International Cooperation Agency), educational
institutions, prefectural councils, and others.
Table 14. Support for various activities
Implementation date
2019/04/27

2019/06/22

Activity name
Participation in the bereaved family support
activity Wakachiai no Kai (sponsored by the
Sendai Grief Care Study Group)
Participation in the bereaved family support
activity Wakachiai no Kai (sponsored by the
Sendai Grief Care Study Group)

2019/07/10

Support for Watari Men’s Club Alumni Association

2019/07/11

Management and cooperation of Kamome no
Kai, a family association for people withhigher brain dysfunction

2019/07/12

Management and cooperation of Kamome no
Kai, a family association for people withhigher brain dysfunction

2019/10/15

Sharing of information relating to the damage situation of Typhoon No. 19 and future
supportParticipation in the bereaved family support
activity Wakachiai no Kai (sponsored by the
Sendai Grief Care Study Group)

2019/10/26- 19 -

Details
Cooperated with the management of
Wakachiai no Kai, sponsored by the Sendai
Grief Care Study Group.
Date: June 22, 2019 (Sat.)
Location: Kesennuma One Ten Government Building, 2nd Floor, Exchange Room
B
Content: Coordinated and participated in
Wakachiai no Kai, sponsored by the Sendai
Grief Care Study Group. One participant,three members of the Sendai Grief Care
Study Group, two members of the Health
Promotion Division.
The Center’s sponsorship of the Watari
Men’s Club concluded in FY2017. Subsequently, several lunch meetings were
hosted every year. Three men’s clubalumni, two temporary public health nurses
from the town, and two Mental Health Care
Center individuals participated and discussed the latest situation.
The Kamome no Kai chairman requested
that the staff of the Health Promotion Division attend this regular meeting, and weparticipated at the direction of the supervisory public health nurse. Advice was provided at the handbell joint concert meeting.
We provided assistance for preparing for
Kamome no Kai and Noel’s joint concert
and created pamphlets that were distributedon the day of the concert.
At the request of the prefectural council, we
provided a place for support groups to share
information.
We participated in the bereaved family support activity Wakachiai no Kai (sponsoredby the Sendai Grief Care Study Group).

FY2019 Bulletin Vol. 8
2019/11/01

Acceptance of Kesennuma Health Center apprentices (medical students)

2019/11/07

FY2019 Malaysia Country Workshop on
LEP. 2.0 Victim Psychological Care: Mental
Health Support for Disaster Victims

2019/11/17“DPAT(Disaster Psychiatric AssistanceTeam) and community mental health system
research” hearing

2019/11/27

Support for the Watari Men’s Club Alumni
Association

2019/12/21

Participation in the bereaved family support
activity Wakachiai no Kai (sponsored by the
Sendai Grief Care Study Group)
Participation in the bereaved family support
activity Wakachiai no Kai (sponsored by the
Sendai Grief Care Study Group)
Support for the Watari Men’s Club Alumni
Association

2020/02/22

2020/02/26- 20 -

Date: November 1, 2019 (Fri.), 13:3014:30
Location: Kesennuma Health and Welfare
Administrative Office Conference RoomContent: Upon request by the general manager of the Kesennuma Health Center, we
spoke to a medical apprentice (one individual) about the Center’s activities.
Sponsored by JICA, training for Malaysian
professionals was provided. A lecture entitled “Mental health support for disaster victims” was delivered to 12 Malaysian trainees.
We participated in an interview on expressive research conducted by Professor
Manabu Ichikawa, Department of Systems
Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology.
Men’s
Club
Alumni
Association
Lunch:
11:00
am−12:30
pm
Participation: three male residents in the affected area (men’s club alumni), two publichealth nurses from the town, and two Center
staff
Content discussed the latest information
while eating lunch and deepening friendships.
Participated in the bereaved family support
activity Wakachiai no Kai (sponsored by
the Sendai Grief Care Study Group)
Cooperated with Wakachiai no Kai activities
Men’s Club Alumni Association
Venue:
Watari
HealthCenterParticipants: three men’s club members(residents), six public health nurses fromthe town, two Arinomama Stem Consultation Support Center staff, two Center staff
Content: Chatting while eating. The Men’s
Club Alumni Association concluded withthis meeting, so this doubled as a farewell
meeting. District manager and the
Arinomama Stem Consultation Support
Center staff also participated, as they were
responsible for taking over the provision of
support for members.

FY2019 Activity Report by Project Item
3. Summary
We have concluded the ninth year of activities with FY2019. Activities as part of the first phase of the
Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center will be concluded in the remaining year of the activity period.
From FY2021, we will restart as Phase II Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center. For this reason,
FY2019 involved reflecting on the Center’s efforts from the beginning of the fiscal year and the preparationof Phase II Center activities, along with the Miyagi Prefecture Mental Health Promotion Office, the Children’s and Family Support Division, the Mental Health and Welfare Center, and each health center in the
coastal regions.
The “future mental care measures” formulated by the prefecture in the first half of the fiscal year indicated the “Role of the Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center after FY2021 (draft).” Moreover, it was
confirmed that the projects overseen by the Center will be reviewed and that shifting roles to the Mental
Health and Welfare Center, as well as each health center, will be considered in the future. More specificinvestigations will be needed in FY2020.
We have also handed over resident support, which we have handled until now, to local government
officials, depending on the area, and the decreases in the number of resident support cases in FY2019 reflect
these policies. However, the state of affairs varies by area, and investigations that consider regional characteristics (including other projects) are needed.
We have responded to the needs identified based on the chaos following the earthquake disaster in a
flexible and polite manner. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the earthquake disaster in FY2020, we
will need to not only respond to affected areas but also cooperate with municipalities, health centers, mental
health and welfare centers, and other institutions to comprehensively reconstruct the future of regional
mental health and welfare. We would like to cooperate well with each related institution and consider theideal path forward in the interest of mental care throughout the entire prefecture.

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