Support for Schools in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster of 2024: Support Systems and Coping with Disaster Stress

Abstract

After the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) dispatched emergency school counselors (government-dispatched SCs) to provide support to elementary and junior high schools in three cities and towns in the severely damaged Okunoto region (Suzu-shi, Wajima-shi, and Noto-cho). Four organizations collaborated in this support activity: MEXT, the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education,the Japan Society of Certified Clinical Psychologists-the Japan Association of Certified Psychologists Joint Disaster Support Commitee, and the Ishikawa Prefectural Society of Certified Clinical Psychologists. We introduced the background on the disaster to the dispatch of government-assigned SCs, psychological support according to the disaster phase, support systems, and psychological support activities in schools. Current issues and prospects are discussed from the perspectives of (1) a system for dispatching emergency SCs, (2) support coordination in school crisis situations, and (3) medium- to long-term support systems.