When the powerful Category 5 storm ravaged Jamaica on 28 October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it caused a landscape of catastrophic damage. Residences, healthcare centers, and vital systems were leveled, causing 32 deaths and impacting an estimated 1.5 million individuals. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was instantly apparent that the material damage would be accompanied by profound and long-term traumatic memories.
“Simple occurrences can trigger them,” Ifill states. “A patient described a trolley we often roll through the passageways, whose clatter evoked memories of breaking wood and the fierce gales. She no longer wants to hearing that particular noise.”
Over six weeks after the storm, which also impacted eastern Cuba, memories of the horrific event continue to trouble some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. The mere sound of rain can now elicit trauma responses among those who lived through it.
The Unseen Cost Alongside Economic Reconstruction
The catastrophic event resulted in a substantial financial package worth up to billions of dollars over three years and an extra payout of $150 million from a groundbreaking catastrophe bond. Yet, specialists caution this financial relief does not address the psychological cost: extensive emotional suffering—particularly among those previously affected from a previous disaster in 2024.
Whereas the lion's share of effort centers on rebuilding infrastructure, academic work over the recent years demonstrate that the risk of PTSD grows markedly after hurricanes and displacement. Experts are now urging the inclusion of mental health support into disaster response plans across the region.
Increased Risks: Displacement and Emotional Stability
Scholars stress how extended displacement, loss of livelihoods, and inadequate services worsen psychological vulnerabilities. A recent regional study flagged a heightened danger of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after extreme weather. Further research recorded comparable anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people displaced by other hurricanes.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has analyzed disaster survivors globally, notes that survivors often encounter three primary mental health challenges: PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in geography and disaster risk management, agrees. She points out that while humans are generally resilient, as the planet continues to warm, mental health is becoming an ever more critical issue—even though comprehensive data is still lacking.
These experts found that women affected experienced greater psychological suffering than male counterparts. “This suggests women are more susceptible than males in such catastrophes,” Smith says.
The Difficult Journey to Psychological Repair
Dr. Heanoy states that while some early progress in psychological state can happen within a year of the event, the ultimate prognosis are still unclear. The likelihood to which survivors bounce back is largely determined by the circumstances of their suffering and the care they receive.
The experts note that the destruction of property and livelihoods can intensify the emotional challenge to rebuild. Smith describes housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” especially when insurance or savings are lacking. “Starting again comes with its own emotional tax,” she says.
Ifill observes the same pattern among her patients: “People who had previous psychological issues have found it’s significantly worse in this aftermath.”
In addition to the mental impact, tangible problems persist. The hurricane severely damaged key water infrastructure, delaying the complete restoration of water services. Financial aid, while necessary, cannot resolve the systemic weaknesses revealed by the storm.
Community Networks as a Vital Foundation
A key finding is that rebuilding alone cannot heal the deep sorrow caused by the loss of loved ones. Expert analysis indicates that survivors often find help from neighbors to be more immediate than bureaucratic help.
“Official action is important,” Smith states. “When it is lacking, or when it is slow, local people provide mutual aid.”
Ifill notes the strength of community solidarity in navigating hardship. She recalls being “struck by the resilient spirit” among tight-knit groups. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they share laughter about the storm.”
Ifill also acknowledges efforts to encourage emotional well-being after the disaster but warns about the dangers of consuming endless negative news. “I recommended reducing screen time, trusting verified sources, and turning to apps to maintain social support.”
A Growing Global Recognition
Recently, psychological support has garnered greater attention from world bodies due to the intensifying climate crisis. The increasing frequency of climate disasters has catalyzed the development of guidelines for mental health response.
Major health organizations have developed practical guides to help responders in delivering psychological care in the wake of traumatic events. These efforts aim to build individual and social resilience by educating caregivers, combating stigma, and promoting the use of mental health services.
Monetary aid are also identified as key for preserving mental health. A agricultural worker from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a previous flood, stresses the frustration that arises when expected aid fails to materialize. “They came... But up to this day, we never got compensation,” he recounts.
A Call for Comprehensive Healing
Analysts argue that the Caribbean region contributes a minuscule fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet bears disproportionate climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed essential to mitigate enduring trauma.
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