There are concerns about the impact of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on children's minds, and an academic society made up of specialist doctors has opened a consultation desk for children to receive consultation via email regarding mental health problems caused by the earthquake.
This consultation desk was opened on January 15th by the Japanese Society of Child Psychiatry and Neurology.
The consultation desk accepts consultations via email about children who have been affected by the earthquake or who are experiencing physical and mental problems after watching footage of the earthquake, and is staffed mainly by doctors who have experience in providing support in disasters such as earthquakes in the past. We will respond within a few days.
According to academic societies, children who have experienced a major disaster
may show changes such as being
unable to be alone or becoming more restless than usual, and some children may find
it difficult to live in groups such as in evacuation centers. This means that there are cases where it becomes difficult and isolated.
Consultations are free, and consultations are accepted not only from parents and children themselves, but also from people providing support to children in the disaster area.
Junko Yagi, a professor at Iwate Medical University who is in charge of disaster preparedness for the academic society, said, ``Children's reactions after a major disaster tend to show up in their physical symptoms and behavior, and I think some parents may be worried about these changes.'' When parents are at a loss for what to do, or when their children are having trouble because they don't have anyone to talk to, I hope they remember this helpline and open up about their concerns."
The email address of the consultation desk is jsppnsaiigai@zohomail.jp.