When the devastating cyclone made landfall on Jamaica on 28 October with ferocious 185mph gusts, it caused a picture of catastrophic damage. Dwellings, healthcare centers, and key utilities were destroyed, causing 32 fatalities and affecting an staggering 1.5 million individuals. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the physical wreckage would be shadowed by profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Everyday occurrences can trigger them,” Ifill explains. “One woman described a wheeled bin we often roll through the halls, whose noise evoked memories of cracking branches and the roaring storm. She now refuses to hearing that auditory reminder.”
Over six weeks after the storm, which also impacted parts of Cuba, memories of the terrifying winds continue to haunt a number of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of a downpour can now elicit panic among individuals who endured it.
The Hidden Toll Beyond Financial Losses
The catastrophic event led to a substantial aid package worth up to up to $6.7bn over three years and an additional payout of $150 million from a groundbreaking catastrophe bond. Yet, specialists caution this monetary aid fails to account for the unseen cost: pervasive mental health crises—notably among those previously affected from Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
While most attention is directed toward restoring buildings, research over the last several years demonstrate that the likelihood of severe anxiety disorders increases markedly after major storms and losing one's home. Experts are now calling for the incorporation of psychological care into disaster response plans across the region.
Increased Risks: Displacement and Emotional Stability
Scholars highlight how prolonged homelessness, loss of livelihoods, and poor access to care worsen emotional distress. A scholarly article flagged a heightened danger of anxiety, depression, and PTSD after climate-related events. Additional analysis found similar psychological turmoil among people who survived previous storms.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a academic who has studied disaster survivors globally, notes that survivors often encounter several key psychological hurdles: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a lecturer in geography and disaster risk management, echoes this view. She points out that while humans are generally resilient, as the climate crisis worsens, emotional fallout is becoming an ever more critical issue—although comprehensive data is still lacking.
The researchers found that women affected experienced more severe emotional impact than male counterparts. “It indicates that women are at greater emotional risk than males when disaster strikes,” Smith explains.
The Uncertain Path to Psychological Repair
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some short-term recovery in well-being is often seen within a year of the event, long-term outcomes remain uncertain. The likelihood to which survivors recover is largely determined by the circumstances of their suffering and the care they receive.
The experts see that the being rendered homeless and possessions can magnify the emotional challenge to start over. Smith describes housing loss “a key traumatic factor,” notably when people have no economic cushion. “Reconstruction comes with its own psychological weight,” she emphasizes.
Ifill sees the same pattern among her those seeking help: “Individuals who had mental health conditions before have reported it’s much more severe in this aftermath.”
Apart from the psychological toll, physical problems continue. The hurricane wiped out key water infrastructure, delaying the complete restoration of potable water. Monetary relief, while necessary, cannot resolve the chronic vulnerabilities revealed by the storm.
Social Networks as a Critical Lifeline
A key finding is that rebuilding alone fails to mend the psychological injuries caused by permanent disabilities. Research consistently finds that survivors often find help from neighbors to be more effective than bureaucratic help.
“Official action is important,” Smith acknowledges. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is delayed, local people support one another.”
Ifill also highlights the strength of community solidarity in coping with disaster. She recalls being “struck by the positive attitude” among strong communities. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they share laughter about the storm.”
She further commends initiatives to promote mental health awareness after the disaster but warns about the harms of consuming endless negative news. “My advice was curating news intake, sticking to reliable news, and using messaging apps to stay in touch with loved ones.”
An Expanding International Focus
Over the past decade, psychological support has received more focus from international agencies due to the intensifying climate emergency. The rising occurrence of extreme weather has prompted the development of tools for trauma support.
Major health organizations have released practical guides to help field workers in delivering psychosocial support in the immediate period of traumatic events. These efforts aim to foster psychological fortitude by building capacity, combating stigma, and facilitating the access to psychological care.
Financial resources are also highlighted as fundamental for preserving mental health. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, emphasizes the despair that arises when expected aid fails to materialize. “Officials visited... But even now, we never got compensation,” he states.
A Call for Integrated Rebuilding
Analysts observe that the Caribbean region contributes a tiny fraction of global emissions yet suffers disproportionate climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed critical to prevent chronic psychological damage.
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