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Suicide and Suicide Prevention Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011: A Literature Review

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  • Masatsugu Orui

    (Sendai City Mental Health and Welfare Center, Sendai 980-0845, Japan
    Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

Abstract

Background: Since the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), numerous studies have been conducted, but no comprehensive review study has been carried out. Thus, this literature review aimed to examine how the GEJE might affect suicide and suicidal behaviors from a long-term perspective. Methods: For the literature review, a search of electronic databases was carried out to find articles written in English and in Japanese that were related to suicide and its risk factors, as well as suicide prevention activities following the GEJE. Thirty-two articles were then selected for the review. Results: There were several findings, as follows: (1) gender differences in suicide rates in the affected area: nationwide, the suicide rates in men showed a delayed increase, whereas suicide rates in women increased temporarily immediately after the GEJE; (2) the suicide rates increased again in the recovery phase; (3) the background of the suicides was linked to both disaster-related experiences, and indirect reasons pertaining to the GEJE; and (4) intensive intervention combined with a high-risk and community-focused approach could prevent suicides following the disaster. Conclusions: Although further accumulation of knowledge about suicide and suicide prevention is essential, these findings can contribute to response, recovery, and preparedness in relation to future disasters.

Suggested Citation

  • Masatsugu Orui, 2022. "Suicide and Suicide Prevention Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-19, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10906-:d:903924
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Masatsugu Orui & Maiko Fukasawa & Naoko Horikoshi & Yuriko Suzuki & Norito Kawakami, 2020. "Development and Evaluation of a Gatekeeper Training Program Regarding Anxiety about Radiation Health Effects Following a Nuclear Power Plant Accident: A Single-Arm Intervention Pilot Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Masatsugu Orui & Suzuka Saeki & Shuichiro Harada & Mizuho Hayashi, 2021. "Practical Report of Disaster-Related Mental Health Interventions Following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Potential for Suicide Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Yukari Yokoyama & Kotaro Otsuka & Norito Kawakami & Seiichiro Kobayashi & Akira Ogawa & Kozo Tannno & Toshiyuki Onoda & Yumi Yaegashi & Kiyomi Sakata, 2014. "Mental Health and Related Factors after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-10, July.
    4. Yujiro Kuroda & Masatsugu Orui & Arinobu Hori, 2021. "Trends in Suicide Mortality in 10 Years around the Great East Japan Earthquake: Analysis of Evacuation and Non-Evacuation Areas in Fukushima Prefecture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-10, June.
    5. Mineko Yamashita & Chikako Kudo, 2014. "How differently we should prepare for the next disaster?," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(1), pages 56-59, March.
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