A well intentioned and concerned report on The Amagasaki Municipal Health Center efforts to encourage people traumatised by the train crash need to consult with mental health care professionals as soon as possible. Some of those sufffering acute stress symptoms are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Timi
Train crash trauma victims seeking help only ‘tip of the iceberg’
AMAGASAKI, Hyogo — The Amagasaki Municipal Health Center is encouraging people traumatised by the April 25 train disaster to consult with local health officials, as center officials believe that the large number of requests for consultation so far are only “the tip of the iceberg.”
Since the fatal derailment 108 people in Hyogo and Osaka prefectures, including those related to the victims and those with no connection to the accident at all, have filed complaints of mental uneasiness and health problems with local governments. Requests from those not directly involved in the derailment on JR Fukuchiyama Line in Amagasaki indicate that the accident caused anxiety among the public at large.
The Mainichi learned that the Hyogo Institute of Traumatic Stress received 71 requests for consultations while 32 such requests were filed with the Amagasaki Municipal Government. Four other requests have been made to other local governments.
Of the 108 cases, 46 cases involved bereaved families of victims as well as passengers on the train who survived. Other cases included those involved in rescue operations and others who watched reports about the accident on TV.
Many of the cases were from people who showed acute stress symptoms such as headaches, a feeling of nausea and insomnia.
Several people who were in Hyogo Prefecture when the Great Hanshin Earthquake hit the area in January 1995 told the Hyogo Institute of Traumatic Stress that they had flashbacks of the killer quake upon learning of the train accident.
Some of them said they were suffering from exhaustion or couldn’t stop shedding tears.
“These are natural reactions for people after seeing a major disaster,” an Amagasaki Municipal Health Center official said. “I think these symptoms will disappear in one month.”
But officials of the center warned that some people might suffer what is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing these symptoms for a month, encouraging people to consult with health officials.
Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, May 3, 2005
