@article{ref1,
title="Practical Report of Disaster-Related Mental Health Interventions Following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Potential for Suicide Prevention",
journal="International journal of environmental research and public health",
year="2021",
author="Orui, Masatsugu and Saeki, Suzuka and Harada, Shuichiro and Hayashi, Mizuho",
volume="18",
number="19",
pages="e10424-e10424",
abstract="BACKGROUND: This practical report aims to publicize the ongoing disaster-related mental health interventions following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 pandemic. <br><br>METHODS: Disaster-related mental health interventions consisted of: (1) screening high-risk evacuees with high psychological distress (Kessler 6 score ≥ 13) or binge drinking; and (2) visiting selected high-risk individuals and providing them counseling through outreach in evacuee housing. These activity records were compiled from existing material in the Sendai City Office; therefore, no new interviews or questionnaire surveys were conducted. <br><br>RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced telephone counseling and shortened the time of support as a result of the restrictions. Counselors addressed issues of &quot;loneliness&quot; or &quot;isolation&quot; among evacuees, who had little connection with society due to the pandemic. Moreover, the procedure for obtaining COVID-19 special financial aid was explained to evacuees in financial difficulty. During this period, the suicide rates in the affected area did not increase significantly as compared to the national average. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our report may be instructive in terms of preventing suicide during the pandemic using high-risk approaches and counselors trained in disaster-related mental health interventions.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1661-7827",
doi="10.3390/ijerph181910424",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910424"
}