2024 Volume 27 Issue 2 Pages 130-148
This study focuses on a support group for out-of-prefecture evacuees in which the author has been involved for 11 years and 9 months since the Great East Japan Earthquake. It examines the construction and development of a support system for clinical psychological community support for out-of-prefecture evacuees in the event of a large-scale disaster. The author also discusses the issues that have emerged during the process of long-term support for disaster victims. This paper clarifies the fact that in order to provide seamless mid- to long-term support after a disaster, it is important to carefully understand the needs of disaster victims in ever-changing circumstances and to build a flexible support system in cooperation and collaboration with a variety of resources. Furthermore, the study identifies the following issues to be addressed in providing medium- to long-term support: how to encourage empowerment of the disaster victims themselves and support them in the group, and how to maintain staff motivated as the support program continues over the long term.
