For those feeling unsettled by the #NotoPeninsulaEarthquake news coverage

This message is a comment based on the principles of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and the intervention pyramid for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) advocated by the United Nations.

Feeling unsettled after a shocking event is a natural psychological reaction. Once shaken, the mind sways back and forth like a balancing toy before eventually settling down.

1. Maintain your daily routine regarding food, clothing, and shelter. Sleep and meals are especially important.
2. Value your connections with people you can talk to when you are troubled.

If watching the news becomes distressing, step away from the internet and television. Using the mute function on social media is also effective. When your mind feels restless and unsettled, you can seek advice via chat or social media platforms like LINE.

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/mamorouyokokoro/soudan/sns/

The "Online Mental Health Shelter" (Kokoro no Online Hinanjo) page also introduces self-care methods to calm your mind and information on consultation services.

https://jscp.or.jp/lp/selfcare/

Children experience the same swaying, balancing-toy-like emotional reactions. Try to carry on with your normal daily life as usual. As a family, ensure a safe and secure space.

Regarding children's psychological reactions,
Mental Health Care for Children in Emergencies: "Psychological First Aid for Children"

https://www.savechildren.or.jp/lp/pfa/

and the Japanese edition of the "Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers (2nd Edition)"

https://www.j-hits.org/document/pfa_spr/page1.html

offer helpful, concrete advice for caregivers in Appendix E.

It would be helpful if news outlets also included guidance on steady support methods, stress coping strategies, and how to engage with media coverage, though this is difficult to control. As we calm our minds, I hope this leads us to do what we can toward early support, restoration, and reconstruction. I wish for the earliest possible safety, security, and peace for everyone affected by the disaster.

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The Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba has compiled a document outlining what people affected by this disaster, the general public exposed to news coverage, and support workers should know about mental health care immediately following a disaster.

I briefly quote the main points below.

● For those affected by the disaster and evacuating:

Relax your mind
- Once you have evacuated to a safe place, ease your tension.
Organize your thoughts
- Prioritize what needs to be done.
Take appropriate action
- Sleep and meals are crucial.
Communicate
- Value your relationships with one another.

● For the general public exposed to news coverage:

　Just watching the coverage can cause stress.

Avoid repeated, prolonged, or background viewing
- Keep viewing to a minimum.
Pay attention to the content and source of information
- Rumors and misinformation fuel anxiety.
Avoid watching news coverage if you are experiencing mental health issues
- You are more sensitive to the content of the reports.
Take in positive information
- This helps you sort out your feelings.

● For support workers:

Do not overexert yourself
- People who are affected by the disaster while also providing support face double the stress. Take frequent breaks and never push yourself too hard.
Protect staff as an organization
- Colleagues should show appreciation for one another's efforts and take care not to fall into anxiety. Supervisors must pay close attention to the nature and risks of support activities to protect their staff.

Please refer to the link below for details.

https://plaza.umin.ac.jp/~dp2012/noto.php

The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology has launched a special website as a reliable source of information.

https://www.jspn.or.jp/modules/activity/index.php?content_id=343

The Japanese Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has published a guide and leaflets on mental health care for children during disasters.

https://child-adolesc.jp/saigai/

The Victim Support Committee of the Japanese Society for Traumatic Stress Studies has reposted reference materials for people living in disaster-hit areas who are feeling anxious, as well as for those providing psychological support to disaster survivors. All of these are available as PDFs.

https://www.jstss.org/docs/2024010200012/

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Starting January 2, the non-profit organization Humanitarian Medical Assistance (HuMA) has dispatched an advance team (physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians) to assess health and medical needs and provide necessary health and medical support.

https://huma.or.jp/news/2645/

Japanese Red Cross Society: 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund

https://www.jrc.or.jp/contribute/help/20240104/

READYFOR: "2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake" Donation Project

https://cf.readyfor.jp/emergency

Support via Hometown Tax (Furusato Nozei): Furusato Choice Disaster Support

https://www.furusato-tax.jp/saigai/filter?project_status=1&category_id%5B%5D=1303

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NHK Disaster-Related Information

https://www.nhk.or.jp/kishou-saigai/list/

Japan Meteorological Agency: Regarding the "2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake"

https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/press/index.html?t=1&y=06

Cabinet Office Disaster Management Page: Damage Status and Other Information Regarding the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake