Hosting the Heart and Mind Counseling/Relaxation Salon Project
Mental Health Support Initiatives of the Miyagi Psychiatric Center
Miyagi Psychiatric Center
Kazuko Saito
1. Introduction
Two years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused a disaster of an
unprecedented scale. Nevertheless, many disaster survivors remain trapped in difficult daily
circumstances and require health support.
Immediately after the disaster, our facility quickly set up temporary housing support teams inNatori and Yamamoto, and has worked to provide psychiatric care to disaster survivors via the Heartand Mind Counseling/Relaxation Salon Project (from FY 2012 onward, we have implemented it as acontracted project from the MDMHCC).
2. Guiding Points
Pursuant to the hosting of the Heart and Mind Counseling/Relaxation Salon Project, we sought to:(1) Provide knowledge (allowing participants to learn about disaster stress and how to cope with
it and enabling them to improve their self-care abilities).
(2) Provide a place to speak freely (allowing individuals to share with each other by describing
their own difficult experiences and then listening as others do the same).
(3) Provide a place where people can take care of their minds and bodies (collaborating withpsychiatrists and local internal medicine doctors).
(4) Provide a place for participants to independently get involved in activities(including programs that people can easily participate in, such as handicrafts, karaoke, and stretching).
(5) Provide a place for continuous support (in accordance with survivor lifestyles, using face-toface relationships as a foundation for regular, continuous support).
(6) Allow nurses, psychiatric social workers, and occupational therapists to work together tomanage a program and enable them to make use of their professional strengths therein.
(7) Refer issues that become visible through this project to affiliated organizations, such as thePublic Health Center.
3. Implementation of the Heart and Mind Counseling/Relaxation Salon Project
As we moved toward implementation of the Heart and Mind Counseling/Relaxation Salon Projectfor tenants of emergency temporary housing, we considered various options, and eventually, throughthe Iwanuma Branch of the Sendai Public Health and Welfare Office, we were able to meet withofficials from Natori and Yamamoto. Specifically, we held lectures, individual counseling, tea parties,and light exercise for these individuals (details described elsewhere).
In Natori, 180 individuals participated in FY 2011 (17 events), and 201 participated in FY 2012(14 events), whereas in Yamamoto, 141 participated in FY 2011 (nine events) and 122 participated inFY 2012 (10 events). Some participants shared feelings including the following: “I feel a bit happier
now. I’m glad I was able to talk to someone.” Some individuals were also referred to the Public HealthCenter or to medical institutions following their individual counseling sessions.
4. In Place of a Summary
We have continuously conducted support activities for temporary housing residents in Natori andYamamoto over the past two years. Through our projects, I think the number of smiles in thecommunity is on the rise. However, in our individual counseling sessions, we have seen several people
whose condition is only growing worse, highlighting the need for further support. In the future, we
hope to continue to work closely with survivors while putting the specialty of this institution—team
medical care—to full use.

- 85 -To all residents in temporary housing inNatori City and Yamamoto Town.

Hosting the Heart and Mind Counseling /Relaxation Salon
Notice of Holding
We offer programs to make your life in temporary housing
more fulfilling and relaxing, and to help you feel better both
physically and mentally. Please gather in large numbers.

Date：Third Thursday of every month 13：30～15：30
Contents：◎ Lecture by psychiatrist「Stress and Mental Health」◎ Relaxation salon(Tea parties, stretching, etc.)
Venue:Each temporary meeting place
Individual consultation corner will be provided.
Please feel to contact us.

In addition to psychiatrists, mental healthworkers, occupational
therapists, etc. withvisit you.

Miyagi Psychiatric Center
Mental care teamContact information
Miyagi Psychiatric Center022-384-2236- 86 -