The global novel coronavirus pandemic starting in 2019 saw mRNA vaccines as a rapid solution. These vaccines, approved without full clinical trials, presented many issues. Soon after their introduction, severe health problems and deaths were reported, increasing over time. Japan has been particularly proactive in vaccinations, amid strong information control reminiscent of wartime. Despite obvious risks, many experts and the public have ignored the dangers ("Elephant in the Room"). Support for affected families and individuals has been left to private volunteers and hasn't been officially recognized. We need to acknowledge this unprecedented situation, and psychologists should offer support to those affected.

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Since February 2021, when COVID-19 vaccinations were first administered to healthcare workers, cases of vaccine-related deaths and adverse effects have been reported. However, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has consistently refrained from actively disclosing these incidents, repeatedly asserting that "no serious concerns have been identified." Mainstream media outlets have also failed to report these adverse effects. On the contrary, narratives labeling individuals who voice concerns about vaccine-related harm as mentally unstable have been propagated, leading to stigmatization, harassment, and social exclusion of those who speak out. Pharmaceutical harm is not only a medical issue but also a social one, encompassing exclusion and isolation. Recovery from such harm entails reintegration into society and the restoration of social connections. Through the activities of Kakekomidera 2020, an advocacy group supporting families who lost loved ones to COVID-19 vaccination and individuals suffering from vaccine-related aftereffects, led by Kazuhisa Ukawa, the unwellness of a society that fails to allow basic acts of assistance to those in need becomes evident. This study aims to shed light on the necessity of viewing this societal dysfunction from an external perspective and reclaiming freedom and spontaneity in our actions as a means to restore the health of society.

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To examine the role of psychologists in supporting children affected by symptoms potentially linked to the　COVID-19 vaccine, we conducted a survey in collaboration with the "Association of Patients with Post-COVID-19 Vaccine Syndrome." Out of 81 members, 33 responded to a questionnaire, and 5 participated in a group interview. These children reported physical symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, limited mobility, and loss of appetite, often preventing them from attending school. Medical professionals frequently dismissed these symptoms as unrelated to the vaccine, attributing them to psychological factors. In some cases, psychologists suggested that personality traits or parenting styles were contributing factors, leading to discomfort and distrust among affected families. Participants expressed the need for psychologists to validate their experiences and advocate on their behalf, including coordination with schools. Currently, appeals from patient and bereaved family groups are largely ignored by society, compounding the physical challenges with feelings of social alienation. Psychologists must consider this social context, recognize their position, and provide empathetic support to these clients.

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In the Spring of 2020, schools were required to close and online classes were offered at universities due to the spread of the new coronavirus disease. Voluntary vaccination began in 2021, and vaccination and PCR test were recommended even though they were not mandatory for on-campus and off-campus training. In some cases, students and faculty members have received vaccinations and PCR tests without sufficient informed consent. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the measures of taken against infectious diseases were appropriate in light of the purpose and social role of institutions of higher education, and to examine the possibility of taking more desirable measures, as well as to critically reflect and reconsider our own ethical obligations and true social contribution as university professors and professionals.

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Dr Tami Gavron (PhD) is an art therapist, a supervisor and a researcher. She is the head of the graduate Art Therapy program at Tel-Hai College. She is working at a private practice in the north of Israel. Her research and clinical specializations include parent-child art psychotherapy, art-based supervision and community-based art therapy. Art therapy was provided to survivors after the Great East Japan Earthquake by art therapists from Israel, including myself, and workshops on group art therapy were conducted for young Japanese psychotherapists (Inoue et al., 2016).

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This study aims to identify the challenges faced by families raising children with disabilities and to generate new hypotheses regarding the factors contributing to these challenges. We conducted two investigations involving three mothers of children with disabilities. First, we conducted structured interviews with these mothers, examining their views on family relationships, specifically marital and father-child relationships. In the second phase, we conducted a focus group, exploring the mothers' perceptions of not only marital and father-child relationships but also the mother-child relationship. Conversely, it was noted that the limited time fathers spend with their children makes it challenging for a father-child bond to form. These observations highlighted three key areas needing attention for families with children with disabilities: 1) the lack of paternal sensitivity, which impacts both father-child and marital relationships; 2) the time constraints fathers face in interacting with their children, often influenced by traditional gender roles; and 3) a developmental time lag between fathers and mothers. These findings generated the hypothesis that such issues complicate the sharing of childcare responsibilities between partners.

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