Public responses to the novel 2019 coronavirus (2019‐nCoV) in Japan: Mental health consequences and target populations

• Published in: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2020-04, Vol.74 (4), p.281-282
• Main Authors: Shigemura, Jun, Ursano, Robert J., Morganstein, Joshua C., Kurosawa, Mie, Benedek, David M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - psychology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Emotions; Fear; Humans; Japan; Letter to the Editor; Letters to the Editor; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Mental Health Services; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - psychology; SARS-CoV-2; Social Behavior; Social Conditions; Social Support; Stress, Psychological; Uncertainty; Vulnerable Populations
• ISSN: 1323-1316; 1440-1819; 1440-1819
• DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12988

Fukushima survivors tend to attribute physical changes to the event (regardless of actual exposure) and have decreased perceived health, which is associated with decreased life expectancy.7, 8 Fear of the unknown raises anxiety levels in healthy individuals as well as those with preexisting mental health conditions. [...]peoples' emotional responses will likely include extreme fear and uncertainty. [...]negative societal behaviors will be often driven by fear and distorted perceptions of risk. [...]particular effort must be directed to vulnerable populations, which include: (i) the infected and ill patients, their families, and colleagues; (ii) Chinese individuals and communities; (iii) individuals with pre‐existing mental/physical conditions; and, last but not least, (iv) health‐care and aid workers, especially nurses and physicians working directly with ill or quarantined persons.