When the devastating cyclone struck Jamaica on the 28th of October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it caused a landscape of catastrophic damage. Dwellings, medical facilities, and key utilities were severely compromised, resulting in 32 fatalities and disrupting the lives of an estimated 1.5 million people. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the material damage would be paired with profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Simple sounds can activate them,” Ifill notes. “One woman mentioned a wheeled bin we often push through the corridors, whose sound sounded like splintering trees and the roaring storm. She no longer wants to hearing that auditory reminder.”
Over six weeks after the storm, which also affected eastern Cuba, flashbacks of the horrific event continue to affect many staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of rain can now elicit trauma responses among individuals who endured it.
The Unseen Cost Amidst Financial Losses
This disaster resulted in a substantial aid package worth up to billions of dollars over a three-year period and an additional payout of $150 million from a pioneering risk financing tool. Yet, authorities note this economic assistance does not address the unseen cost: widespread trauma—especially among those still recovering from Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
Although the primary focus targets rebuilding infrastructure, studies over the last several years indicate that the risk of severe anxiety disorders rises significantly after climate disasters and displacement. Experts are now calling for the incorporation of psychological care into climate-disaster policy across small island developing states.
Increased Risks: Displacement and Psychological Well-being
Scholars stress how prolonged homelessness, vanishing incomes, and insufficient support amplify mental health risks. A recent regional study warned of a clear threat of severe mental health issues after natural disasters. Additional analysis found comparable fear, anxiety, and distress among people who survived previous storms.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has examined disaster survivors globally, notes that survivors typically experience three primary emotional obstacles: 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 major issue—even though detailed prevalence surveys is often insufficient.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that women affected showed greater psychological suffering than male counterparts. “So it’s quite possible women are more susceptible than males during these events,” Smith comments.
The Difficult Journey to Healing
Dr. Heanoy states that while some early progress in well-being may occur within a year of the event, long-term outcomes remain uncertain. The extent to which survivors bounce back depends heavily on the circumstances of their suffering and the resources accessible.
The experts note that the destruction of property and possessions can intensify the psychological burden to rebuild. Smith calls housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” notably when people have no economic cushion. “Rebuilding comes with its own mental burden,” she adds.
Ifill observes the identical trend among her clients: “People who had mental health conditions before have reported it’s significantly worse in this short period of time.”
Apart from the mental impact, practical issues persist. The hurricane wiped out critical water infrastructure, slowing the complete restoration of water services. Insurance payouts, while helpful, do not address all of the systemic weaknesses laid bare by the storm.
Grassroots Networks as a Essential Foundation
Critically is that physical reconstruction by itself fails to mend the psychological injuries caused by permanent disabilities. Studies shows that survivors frequently report help from neighbors to be more effective than official aid.
“Official action is crucial,” Smith says. “When it is lacking, or when it is slow, neighbors provide mutual aid.”
Ifill similarly praises the strength of community solidarity in overcoming challenges. She says she was “struck by the resilient spirit” among resilient populations. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they make jokes about the storm.”
Additionally, she commends initiatives to encourage emotional well-being after the disaster but advises about the negative effects of doomscrolling. “My advice was limiting social media, trusting verified sources, and leveraging technology to connect with family.”
An Increasing Regional Priority
In recent years, psychosocial care has garnered greater attention from international agencies due to the intensifying climate crisis. The increasing frequency of hurricanes has prompted the development of guidelines for mental health response.
International bodies have developed detailed resources to help aid personnel in offering emotional aid in the wake of disasters. These efforts aim to foster community and personal strength by educating caregivers, reducing shame, and encouraging the access to psychological care.
Economic support are also highlighted as fundamental for protecting psychological recovery. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a similar event, stresses the despair that arises when official support fails to materialize. “They came... But to this date, we never got any payment,” he says.
A Plea for Comprehensive Recovery
Analysts observe that the Caribbean region is responsible for a minuscule fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet endures disastrous climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed critical to avoid prolonged suffering.
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