Proposal for a Digital Device to Improve the Impact of Disaster-Related Information, such as ‘Nankai Trough Earthquake Temporary Information’ on Mental Health

Introduction: In Japan, temporary information is issued about disasters to reduce damage. On 8 August 2024, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued the first temporary information bulletin (Caution: Major Earthquake) about the possibility of a large-scale earthquake occurring in the assumed epicentral region of the Nankai Trough Earthquake. Although this kind of temporary information is useful for disaster prevention, we believe that it may have an impact on the mental health of many people, so we will conduct a survey and propose ways to intervene. Methods: A psychological survey was conducted on web monitors before and after the 8 August 2024 Nankai Trough Earthquake Special Information (17 April; 22 August). A psychological survey was conducted on web monitors before and after the 8 August 2024 Nankai Trough Earthquake Special Information (T1: 17 April; T2: 22 August). The number of people surveyed was 300 for T1 and 1,400 for T2. The psychological test forms used were the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS)-21 and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). The scores are shown as the median (25th percentile - 75th percentile). Results: The Depression score on the DASS-21 changed from T1 0 (0-1) to T2 2 (0-8), the Anxiety score from T1 2 (0-12) to T2 2 (0-10), and the Stress score from T1 2 (0-16) to T2 2 (0-6). The PTSD score, as indicated by the IES-R, also changed from T1 3 (0-9) to T2 4 (0-17). Mann-Whitney’s U test showed a significant difference in Depression, Stress, and PTSD scores (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Although this is temporary information for disaster prevention, it may affect the mental health of many people. To maintain the mental health of these many people, our team would like to propose the introduction of smartphone apps such as the me-fullness® app.