東日本大震災から十年 Ten years after Great East Japan Earthquake
![気仙沼小学校_コピー](/materials/162604961431601.jpg)
その後、自分に出来ることはないのだろうか、いや現地で冷静に居られる自信もない自分が何をしても足手まといになる、しかし、自分の生活へ影響がなければそれでいいとは思えない…と内心でせめぎ合いながら二ヶ月が経とうとしていたところ、お世話になった大学院の教授からメールが届きました。現役院生と卒業生有志で構成する研究会のメーリングリストを介して現地で心理面の支援に入る人材を募る内容で、当時の私の心境を知った上で届いたかのようにも感じました。
その教授は日頃から結核予防会という全国展開する健康支援の団体にかかわる立場で活動をしていて、震災後すぐに健康支援に入っている結核予防会の活動にプラスして心理面の支援を導入する必要性を感じている旨がメールに書かれていました。そのメールを読んでから1時間ほど一人で考え、その後、家族へ説明して理解を得、教授へ返信しました。心理支援に入らせてください、と。
私を含め5~6人が手を上げ、交代で結核予防会のスタッフと共に現地に入るスケジュールが組まれました。それと並行して、当時の職場(精神科病院)に状況を説明し、1週間の有給休暇を取得することに承認を得て、業務調整を行い、宮城県気仙沼市へ向かいました。
6月初旬の気仙沼では穏やかな夕日が入り江を照らしていましたが、当然ながら物理的にも心理的にも大きな爪痕が乗る状況。結核予防会に準備してもらえた滞在先で寝起きし、気仙沼市内の避難所数ヶ所を毎日巡回しながら、現地の皆様の心身の状態と、必要とされる事柄をPFA(心理的応急処置)のスタンスで把握し、他の支援機関との連携を図る一週間を送らせてもらいました。私はこの一週間の経験を忘れません。
数年後、再び宮城県気仙沼市を訪れ、数日間滞在しました。簡単には移動できないコロナ禍となりましたが、十年前の大地震の影響を受け続けている方々のことを、ずっと思い続けています。そして、これからも、自分に出来ることは何だろうかと考え続け、行動に移してまいります。
Ten years ago, in the afternoon of March 11, I left my workplace a little earlier than usual, and was in the Shinkansen, which I was boarding from Kyushu to Kansai to attend the academic conference I belonged to, slowed down for a while, and then it stopped. At that time, it was not until I heard the announcement in the car that I learned that a major earthquake and tsunami had occurred in the Tohoku region. I couldn't believe it when I saw the local situation in the media, and I was still speechless. I still vividly remember that.
After that, I wonder if there is anything I can do, ...no, I am not confident that I can stay calm in the field. When two months had passed, I received an e-mail from a professor at the graduate school recruiting human resources to provide psychological support locally through the mailing list, and I felt that it arrived after knowing my feelings at that time.
The professor is usually involved in the Tuberculosis Prevention Association, which is a nationwide health support organization, and tries to provide psychological support in addition to the activities of health support which alreasy started after the earthquake. After reading the email, I thought about it alone for about an hour, then explained it to my family, gained understanding, and replied to the professor asking to let me get into psychological support.
A schedule was set up in which 5 to 6 psychologists including myself, took turns to enter the site with the staff of the Tuberculosis Prevention Association. At the same time, I explained the situation to the workplace (psychiatric hospital) at that time, obtained approval to take a week's paid leave, adjusted works, and headed to Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture.
A gentle sunset lit the cove in Kesennuma in early June, but of course there were large physical and psychological scars on it. While waking up at the accommodation prepared by the Tuberculosis Prevention Association, visiting several evacuation centers in Kesennuma every day, with PFA (Psychological First Aid) stance, I was allowed to spend a week trying to figure it out the physical and mental condition of the local people and what is needed. And collaborated with other support organizations. I will never forget this week's experience.
A few years later, I visited Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture again and stayed there for several days. Although it is difficult to move due to the corona wreck, I have been thinking about the people who have been affected by the great earthquake ten years ago. And I will continue to think about what I can do and take action.
After that, I wonder if there is anything I can do, ...no, I am not confident that I can stay calm in the field. When two months had passed, I received an e-mail from a professor at the graduate school recruiting human resources to provide psychological support locally through the mailing list, and I felt that it arrived after knowing my feelings at that time.
The professor is usually involved in the Tuberculosis Prevention Association, which is a nationwide health support organization, and tries to provide psychological support in addition to the activities of health support which alreasy started after the earthquake. After reading the email, I thought about it alone for about an hour, then explained it to my family, gained understanding, and replied to the professor asking to let me get into psychological support.
A schedule was set up in which 5 to 6 psychologists including myself, took turns to enter the site with the staff of the Tuberculosis Prevention Association. At the same time, I explained the situation to the workplace (psychiatric hospital) at that time, obtained approval to take a week's paid leave, adjusted works, and headed to Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture.
A gentle sunset lit the cove in Kesennuma in early June, but of course there were large physical and psychological scars on it. While waking up at the accommodation prepared by the Tuberculosis Prevention Association, visiting several evacuation centers in Kesennuma every day, with PFA (Psychological First Aid) stance, I was allowed to spend a week trying to figure it out the physical and mental condition of the local people and what is needed. And collaborated with other support organizations. I will never forget this week's experience.
A few years later, I visited Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture again and stayed there for several days. Although it is difficult to move due to the corona wreck, I have been thinking about the people who have been affected by the great earthquake ten years ago. And I will continue to think about what I can do and take action.
2021年03月12日 09:00