When the powerful Category 5 storm struck Jamaica on the 28th of October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it caused a picture of widespread ruin. Residences, hospitals, and critical infrastructure were leveled, resulting in 32 deaths and disrupting the lives of an estimated 1.5 million individuals. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the tangible destruction would be paired with profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Commonplace occurrences can activate them,” Ifill notes. “One woman mentioned a trolley we often roll through the corridors, whose sound sounded like breaking wood and the howling wind. She has become averse to listening to that auditory reminder.”
Over six weeks after the catastrophe, which also affected neighboring Cuba, flashbacks of the terrifying winds continue to trouble many staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of a downpour can now prompt panic among individuals who endured it.
The Hidden Toll Alongside Economic Reconstruction
The catastrophic event resulted in a substantial aid package totaling up to $6.7bn over a three-year period and an extra payout of millions from a groundbreaking disaster insurance instrument. However, specialists caution this monetary aid does not address the psychological cost: pervasive mental health crises—especially among those who had been recovering from another major storm in 2024.
While the lion's share of effort centers on restoring buildings, academic work over the past three years indicate that the likelihood of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases markedly after major storms and losing one's home. Researchers are now urging the inclusion of psychological care into climate-disaster policy across small island developing states.
Increased Risks: Insecurity and Mental Health
Academics emphasize how long-term dislocation, vanishing incomes, and insufficient support exacerbate emotional distress. A recent regional study flagged a clear threat of severe mental health issues after natural disasters. Additional analysis found parallel anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people displaced by previous storms.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has examined disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors could face a trio of mental health challenges: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a professor in geography and disaster risk management, echoes this view. She observes that while people are often tough, as the climate crisis worsens, mental health is becoming an increasingly significant issue—despite the fact that comprehensive data is still lacking.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that female survivors showed more severe emotional impact than men. “It indicates that women are more susceptible than males during these events,” Smith comments.
The Uncertain Path to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some early progress in mental health can happen within a twelve-month period, long-term outcomes are still unclear. The extent to which survivors heal hinges on the specific triggers and the care they receive.
The experts observe that the destruction of property and resources can magnify the psychological burden to recover. Smith calls housing loss “a key traumatic factor,” particularly when insurance or savings are lacking. “Rebuilding comes with its own mental burden,” she says.
Ifill sees the identical trend among her clients: “Individuals who had previous psychological issues have found it’s much more severe in this time since the storm.”
In addition to the psychological impact, physical issues persist. The hurricane wiped out critical water infrastructure, delaying the complete restoration of potable water. Insurance payouts, while necessary, do not address all of the systemic weaknesses exposed by the storm.
Community Networks as a Vital Lifeline
Perhaps most importantly is that rebuilding alone does not address the emotional wounds caused by life-altering injuries. Research consistently finds that survivors commonly experience community support to be more responsive than bureaucratic help.
“State support is crucial,” Smith states. “In its absence, or when it is inefficient, local people provide mutual aid.”
Ifill also highlights the power of mutual support in coping with disaster. She notes she was “struck by the sense of humour” among tight-knit groups. “Your house is gone, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they find lightness about the storm.”
She further commends steps to encourage mental health awareness after the disaster but advises about the harms of doomscrolling. “My advice was curating news intake, sticking to reliable news, and leveraging technology to connect with family.”
An Expanding International Focus
Over the past decade, psychosocial care has garnered greater attention from global organizations due to the intensifying climate crisis. The rising occurrence of climate disasters has catalyzed the development of tools for psychological first aid.
Major health organizations have published comprehensive manuals to train responders in delivering psychosocial support in the aftermath of traumatic events. These initiatives aim to strengthen psychological fortitude by building capacity, reducing shame, and facilitating the seeking of professional help.
Financial aid are also highlighted as key for protecting psychological recovery. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a similar event, stresses the despair that arises when promised compensation fails to materialize. “Officials visited... But even now, we were not granted compensation,” he recounts.
An Appeal for Holistic Healing
Experts argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a minuscule fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet bears disastrous climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed essential to avoid enduring trauma.
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