J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2021 Feb;60(1):53-60. 10.4306/jknpa.2021.60.1.53.

A Survey on the Public Perceptions of Disaster-Related Mental Health Service

• Lee SE
• Lee N
• Yoo S
• Park D
• Jeon K
• Hwang TY
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2513557
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2021.60.1.53

Abstract

Objectives
This study examined post-disaster mental health problems and related public perception of disaster-related mental health services. The differences of these perceptions according to the disaster experience and disaster type were also investigated.
Methods
Data were collected via telephone and online surveys, and information from 2928 respondents was analyzed. The participants were allocated across age, sex, and residence area.
Results
Those who had experienced disasters showed a more negative perception of post-disaster mental health services than those who had not. While natural disaster survivors most often reported financial problems as secondary stressors after a disaster, social disaster survivors were more likely to report mental health problems. Regarding national mental health support for disaster, disaster-experiencing respondents more often tended to prefer mental health services than non-disaster-experiencing respondents.
Conclusion
The current study can help understand the public perception of disaster-related mental health and the needs of mental health services. These findings could suggest directions and grounds for policies of a national support system for disaster-related mental health.

Keyword

Disasters; Disaster planning; Mental health services; Disaster victims.