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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIESIN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, SPORTSAND CULTURE1998 > MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND SPORTS CHAPTER2 SECTION2 5

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MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND SPORTS
CHAPTER2 TOWARD ENHANCED HEALTH EDUCATION
SECTION2: RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
5. Mental Health Carefor Students in Relation to Disasters


The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in January1995and other serious natural disasters in recent years,have not only left serious problems and made us reconsider the roles of schools during disasters and ideal disaster prevention education,but have also made us keenly aware of the necessity to provide the appropriate mental care for children with mental health problems stemming from these disasters.

One of the most serious concems is thepossible emergence of symptoms of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) 1 in cbildren.It is of utmost and immediate importance tostudy measures to address the mental healthproblems suffered by these children.

MESSC has therefore carried out surveys on the mental health of children in the areas stricken by disaster in FY1995 and1996.Based on the results of these surveys MESSC prepared material for"The Mental Care of Children in Disasters"in FY1997,and distributed it to all schools.


1Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)

A mentally confused state which occurs after a personexperiences an event involving extremely intense fear.

PTSD is characterized by the following symptoms:

1)Recalling a fearful experience and reexperiencing it.

2)A continuous stressful state involving insomniaand fright.

3)In some cases,physical symptoms such asheadaches,nausea and dizziness.


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