Presentation Information
[SY-74]Psychiatry in times of disaster
Mian Yoon Chong3, Hiroaki Tomita4, Maiko Fukasawa5, Meryam Schouler-Ocak2, Tsuyoshi Akiyama1 (1.Rokubancho Mental Clinic(Japan), 2.Charité University(Germany), 3.HMI Medical, Singapore & Regency Specialist Hospital(Singapore), 4.Tohoku University(Japan), 5.Fukushima Medical University(Japan))
Keywords:
Disaster,Mental Health,Crisis
Millions are affected yearly by natural or man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, floods, pandemics, the Ukraine-Russia war, or the Middle East conflicts. Many come unexpectedly and abruptly, creating a crisis that threatens human lives and normal living and affects not only individuals or communities but also regional stability. Such events are described as 'destructive,’ ‘catastrophic,’ or ‘deadly.’ In the acute phase of disaster, the psychiatrist primarily facilitates natural recovery rather than treating pathology. In the acute aftermath of a disaster, the psychiatrist must be alert to organic mental disorders secondary to head injury, toxic exposure, illness, and dehydration. About half to two-thirds of these victims suffer from mental distress and stress-related disorders. The most frequent diagnosis made is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often along with mood and substance use disorder. In addition, most individuals report psychological symptoms that do not amount to disorders.
The overarching goal of disaster psychiatry is to facilitate normal recovery processes and prevent or diminish psychiatric morbidity. Thus, psychiatrists need many vital skills to assist communities. Involvement in disaster planning is an excellent way to help their communities. Moreover, psychiatric interventions targeted at the various longitudinal phases of disaster response must be a part of disaster management.
In this symposium, the first speaker will discuss “Disaster Psychiatry: Managing Crisis as a Leader.” The second speaker will focus on “Longitudinal alterations in the psychosocial conditions of a community affected by the catastrophe and the need to provide long-term support in response to changing situations after”. The third speaker will present “The worry about radiation and mental health after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident occurred in March 2011”. The last presentation will be on “Role of media during a disaster – how should the reporting look like?”. All presentations will be discussed with the plenum.
The overarching goal of disaster psychiatry is to facilitate normal recovery processes and prevent or diminish psychiatric morbidity. Thus, psychiatrists need many vital skills to assist communities. Involvement in disaster planning is an excellent way to help their communities. Moreover, psychiatric interventions targeted at the various longitudinal phases of disaster response must be a part of disaster management.
In this symposium, the first speaker will discuss “Disaster Psychiatry: Managing Crisis as a Leader.” The second speaker will focus on “Longitudinal alterations in the psychosocial conditions of a community affected by the catastrophe and the need to provide long-term support in response to changing situations after”. The third speaker will present “The worry about radiation and mental health after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident occurred in March 2011”. The last presentation will be on “Role of media during a disaster – how should the reporting look like?”. All presentations will be discussed with the plenum.