When the powerful Category 5 storm ravaged Jamaica on 28 October with ferocious 185mph gusts, it resulted in a scene of utter destruction. Dwellings, medical facilities, and critical infrastructure were leveled, resulting in 32 fatalities and affecting an estimated 1.5 million individuals. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the material damage would be accompanied by profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Simple things can provoke them,” Ifill notes. “An individual described a trolley we often roll through the halls, whose clatter sounded like breaking wood and the howling wind. She now refuses to experiencing that sound.”
Weeks after the catastrophe, which also affected neighboring Cuba, flashbacks of the terrifying winds continue to affect some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Simply the noise of a downpour can now prompt trauma responses among individuals who endured it.
The Hidden Toll Amidst Financial Losses
The catastrophic event triggered a massive aid package totaling $6.7 billion over a three-year period and an further disbursement of $150 million from a pioneering disaster insurance instrument. But, experts warn this economic assistance fails to account for the psychological cost: widespread trauma—particularly among those still recovering from another major storm in 2024.
While most attention is directed toward rebuilding infrastructure, academic work over the last several years demonstrate that the probability of severe anxiety disorders rises markedly after major storms and displacement. Experts are now calling for the inclusion of psychological care into disaster response plans across the region.
Increased Risks: Insecurity and Mental Health
Scholars highlight how long-term dislocation, destroyed jobs, and poor access to care amplify mental health risks. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper warned of a significant risk of severe mental health issues after natural disasters. Further research documented comparable psychological turmoil among people displaced by other hurricanes.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a academic who has examined disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors could face several key mental health challenges: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in risk reduction, agrees. She notes that while people are often tough, as the frequency of disasters increases, mental health is becoming an increasingly significant issue—although detailed prevalence surveys is not widely available.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that female survivors showed more severe emotional impact than men. “It indicates that women are at greater emotional risk than males in such catastrophes,” Smith explains.
The Difficult Journey to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some short-term recovery in mental health is often seen within a year of the event, the lasting effects can be unpredictable. The likelihood to which survivors heal depends heavily on the circumstances of their suffering and the care they receive.
The experts note that the being rendered homeless and possessions can magnify the emotional challenge to recover. Smith labels housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” notably when insurance or savings are lacking. “Starting again comes with its own psychological weight,” she adds.
Ifill witnesses the same pattern among her those seeking help: “Individuals who had mental health conditions before have noticed it’s significantly worse in this time since the storm.”
Beyond the psychological toll, practical challenges remain. The hurricane destroyed critical water infrastructure, slowing the reliable supply of water services. Financial aid, while helpful, do not address all of the chronic vulnerabilities revealed by the storm.
Social Networks as a Critical Foundation
A key finding is that physical reconstruction by itself does not address the deep sorrow caused by life-altering injuries. Studies shows that survivors commonly experience community support to be more immediate than government assistance.
“State support is crucial,” Smith says. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is delayed, neighbors provide mutual aid.”
Ifill also highlights the power of mutual support in overcoming challenges. She says she was “impressed by the resilient spirit” among strong communities. “Your house is gone, right? But if a community has a positive outlook, they share laughter about the storm.”
Additionally, she praises initiatives to support psychological self-care after the disaster but warns about the dangers of doomscrolling. “My advice was reducing screen time, trusting verified sources, and leveraging technology to connect with family.”
An Expanding International Focus
Recently, psychosocial care has garnered greater attention from global organizations due to the intensifying climate crisis. The growing regularity of extreme weather has prompted the development of guidelines for psychological first aid.
Major health organizations have released practical guides to train aid personnel in delivering emotional aid in the wake of catastrophes. These projects aim to strengthen individual and social resilience by training professionals, reducing shame, and encouraging the use of mental health services.
Economic aid are also underlined as crucial for preserving emotional well-being. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, stresses the despair that arises when official support fails to materialize. “They came... But even now, we never got compensation,” he says.
A Call for Integrated Rebuilding
Experts note that the Caribbean region is responsible for a very small fraction of global emissions yet bears disproportionate climate impacts. A swift, well-funded recovery is deemed vital to avoid enduring trauma.
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