When the powerful Category 5 storm made landfall on Jamaica on 28 October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it caused a landscape of utter destruction. Homes, medical facilities, and vital systems were destroyed, leading to 32 deaths and impacting an approximate 1.5 million individuals. For mental health expert Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the physical wreckage would be paired with profound and enduring psychological scars.
“Everyday occurrences can trigger them,” Ifill explains. “An individual mentioned a trolley we often move through the corridors, whose noise evoked memories of breaking wood and the howling wind. She has become averse to hearing that sound.”
A month and a half after the hurricane, which also affected eastern Cuba, flashbacks of the frightening storm continue to affect a number of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of falling rain can now cause panic among those who lived through it.
The Hidden Toll Alongside Billions in Damage
The catastrophic event led to a substantial recovery package worth up to $6.7 billion over several years and an extra payment of $150 million from a innovative risk financing tool. But, authorities note this monetary aid fails to account for the invisible cost: pervasive mental health crises—notably among those previously affected from another major storm in 2024.
While the primary focus centers on restoring buildings, academic work over the past three years demonstrate that the probability of severe anxiety disorders rises markedly after hurricanes and displacement. Researchers are now calling for the incorporation of psychological care into climate-disaster policy across small island developing states.
Increased Risks: Insecurity and Mental Health
Scholars stress how extended displacement, loss of livelihoods, and inadequate services amplify mental health risks. A scholarly article flagged a significant risk of severe mental health issues after extreme weather. Further research documented similar anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people displaced by tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has analyzed disaster survivors in multiple countries, notes that survivors could face several key emotional obstacles: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in geography and disaster risk management, concurs. She points out that while people are often tough, as the climate crisis worsens, psychological well-being is becoming an major issue—despite the fact that extensive research is still lacking.
These experts found that female survivors experienced more severe emotional impact than men. “So it’s quite possible women are at greater emotional risk than males in such catastrophes,” Smith comments.
The Uncertain Path to Healing
Dr. Heanoy says that while some early progress in well-being can happen within a year, the ultimate prognosis can be unpredictable. The extent to which survivors bounce back hinges on 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 rebuild. Smith calls housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” especially when people have no economic cushion. “Rebuilding comes with its own mental burden,” she emphasizes.
Ifill observes the parallel situation among her clients: “People who had previous psychological issues have noticed it’s much more severe in this time since the storm.”
Apart from the mental impact, physical issues continue. The hurricane wiped out critical water infrastructure, delaying the reliable supply of clean water. Monetary relief, while helpful, cannot resolve the systemic weaknesses revealed by the storm.
Social Support as a Vital Foundation
A key finding is that rebuilding alone does not address the psychological injuries caused by permanent disabilities. Studies indicates that survivors commonly experience community support to be more effective than official aid.
“Official action is crucial,” Smith says. “In its absence, or when it is delayed, local people provide mutual aid.”
Ifill also highlights the strength of social bonds in overcoming challenges. She recalls being “moved by the sense of humour” among resilient populations. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has a positive outlook, they find lightness about the storm.”
She further acknowledges initiatives to encourage psychological self-care after the disaster but warns about the harms of doomscrolling. “I recommended limiting social media, following official updates, and leveraging technology to maintain social support.”
An Increasing International Focus
Over the past decade, psychosocial care has received more focus from world bodies due to the worsening climate emergency. The rising occurrence of climate disasters has catalyzed the development of frameworks for mental health response.
Regional institutions have released practical guides to help responders in delivering emotional aid in the wake of catastrophes. These initiatives aim to build individual and social resilience by educating caregivers, promoting openness, and facilitating the use of mental health services.
Monetary aid are also underlined as crucial for protecting psychological recovery. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a previous flood, emphasizes the hopelessness that arises when official support never arrives. “Assessments were made... But up to this day, we were not granted compensation,” he states.
An Appeal for Integrated Healing
Leaders note that the Caribbean region accounts for a tiny fraction of global emissions yet endures extreme climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed critical to prevent enduring trauma.
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