On March 3, Support Team KEYPAT(*) from Kanazawa University received a request from Ishikawa Prefectural Nanao Special Needs School and cooperated in the school’s mental support class titled “Expressing Our Feelings.” Approximately 15 students from the upper secondary division and teachers participated. In the first half of the class, students enjoyed body percussion to music, and in the second half, they experienced interacting with “Paro,” a seal?shaped therapeutic robot.
This class was organized based on the understanding that, two years after the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, emotional effects may have become less visible. KEYPAT and the teachers discussed what kind of support would be most appropriate. Responding to the teachers’ request to use Paro, KEYPAT asked Mr. Takanori Shibata of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology—the developer of Paro—to cooperate. Some students who were initially hesitant gradually became more comfortable, holding and stroking Paro, watching its reactions, and listening to its sounds. Many became more expressive, gentle, or calm than usual.
After the class, KEYPAT, the teachers, and Mr. Shibata held a reflection session, during which they also discussed ways for teachers to maintain their own mental health. Kanazawa University will continue providing support through KEYPAT.
(*) “KEYPAT” (Kanazawa Educational Yell Psychological Assistance Team) is an official university?wide team at Kanazawa University that supports individuals experiencing mental distress due to disasters. The team is composed mainly of licensed psychologists and continues to provide individual mental?health support as well as assistance for supporters and communities such as schools and hospitals.
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Students experiencing their first interaction with “Paro,” the therapeutic robot -
A student interacting with “Paro” -
Mr. Shibata of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (far right) with KEYPAT members -
Ishikawa Prefectural Nanao Special Needs School
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