Acute-Stage Mental Health Symptoms by Natural Disaster Type: Consultations of Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Teams (DPATs) in Japan

Abstract

This study analyzed the support activities that the Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team (DPAT) in Japan provided following four previous disasters (a volcanic eruption, a mudslide, a flood, and an earthquake) to identify links between the disaster type and the characteristics of acute stage mental disorders observed. Using Disaster Mental Health Information Support System database records of consultations with patients supported by the DPAT during the survey period from 2013 (when DPAT was launched) to 2016, we performed cross-tabulations and investigated significant differences using chi-squared tests. For expected values less than 5, Fisher’s exact test was performed. Frequently occurring acute-stage symptoms after a disaster include anxiety, sleep problems, mood and affect, and physical symptoms. The affected population characteristics, victim attributes, severity of damage sustained, and evacuation status were the chief factors that influenced acute-stage mental health symptoms. The psychiatric symptoms detected in our study together with the results of diagnoses are important for determining the types of early interventions needed during the acute stage of a disaster. By sharing baseline mental health information, together with disaster-related characteristics highlighted in this study, mental health providers are better able to predict future possible mental disorders and symptoms.

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Patients Treated by Emergency Medical Teams: Findings from J-SPEED Data Regarding the West Japan Heavy Rain 2018

“…For this study, we could only acquire a paucity of prior relevant studies and a limited amount of data about disaster psychiatry. We explored comparative and epidemiological studies on the acute phase of a disaster in the literature, but could only find two references [ 1 , 7 ]. Furthermore, this study used data from only one disaster; therefore, it is challenging to generalize and compare our findings with those from other studies.…”

“…The provision of mental health care from the acute phase after a disaster is critical. According to a previous epidemiological study, disaster victims tend to experience mental health symptoms such as anxiety, sleep problems, and mood and affect during this period [ 1 ]. Although mental support is required in the acute phase, a disaster is a situation that exceeds the capacity of a community to respond, and therefore requires external support.…”

“…Regarding epidemiological studies on mental health in the aftermath of a disaster, numerous studies regarding the medium-and long-term effects of disasters on mental health have been reported [ 6 ]. However, studies describing mental health in the acute stage of a disaster remain extremely limited, and the provision of mental support by DPATs has been reported only in terms of the temporal transition of the number of consultations and symptoms [ 1 , 7 ]. Therefore, to allocate limited support resources appropriately, it is necessary to standardize the proportion and temporal transition of mental health needs in the overall picture of disaster support.…”

Emergency Medical Team Response during the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake 2018: J-SPEED Data Analysis

“…This is in line with a previous disaster psychiatry study of four natural disasters that found patients aged 20-64 years accounted for a large proportion. 19 Another study showed that older survivors were more likely to experience general psychiatric illness and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the younger adults. 20 Likewise, large numbers of children having significant symptoms of PTSD, peri-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety have been reported.…”

Utilization of Mental Health Support Systems in the Aftermath of Disasters in Japan: Statistical Data of the Miyagi Disaster Mental Health Care Center

“…The need for well-trained professionals who specialize in emergencies was recognized. Consequently, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare set up a formal system comprising a Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team in 2013 [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, most of the previous literature mainly focuses on the acute recovery phase and although health outcomes most frequently assessed were mental disorders, the long-term strategies have been still unclear [ 22 , 23 ].…”