title: Ongoing mental health concerns in post-3/11 Japan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The triple disaster that struck the Tohoku region on March 11, 2011, has had massive psychiatric, social, and physical effects on the people of Japan. A staggering loss of life and property, as well as an ongoing nuclear disaster, has dramatically affected the ability of the country to recover.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In an effort to better understand the current social, health, and mental health needs of the region affected by the disaster and to share lessons from 9/11, a group of 9/11 survivors and doctors from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai traveled to sites throughout the Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate prefectures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative analysis was performed on transcripts of the cultural and medical exchanges, which occurred on this trip to identify relevant themes about the problems confronting the recovery effort almost 3 years after the disaster.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant themes that emerged included a crippling radiation anxiety, a considerable stigma toward addressing mental health care, and a shortage of mental health care throughout the region, as well as ongoing psychiatric symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and alcohol misuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These issues continue to complicate the recovery effort but suggest avenues for future interventions.
authors: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Electronic address: adam.karz@mountsinai.org.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Karz
authors: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Reichstein
authors: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Yanagisawa
authors: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
authors: Craig L
authors: CL
authors: Katz
mesh_terms: D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D055866:Earthquakes; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D057192:Tsunamis
keywords: 3/11; 9/11; Japan; psychiatric