When the devastating cyclone made landfall on Jamaica on October 28th with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it resulted in a picture of utter destruction. Residences, hospitals, and critical infrastructure were severely compromised, causing the tragic loss of 32 lives and disrupting the lives of an estimated 1.5 million individuals. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the tangible destruction would be paired with profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Simple occurrences can activate them,” Ifill notes. “An individual described a wheeled bin we often push through the passageways, whose clatter sounded like breaking wood and the howling wind. She now refuses to listening to that sound.”
Weeks after the catastrophe, which also affected parts of Cuba, flashbacks of the frightening storm continue to haunt some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Simply the noise of a downpour can now cause stress reactions among survivors.
The Unseen Cost Alongside Billions in Damage
This disaster triggered a substantial aid package totaling billions of dollars over several years and an additional payout of $150m from a pioneering catastrophe bond. But, specialists caution this economic assistance cannot cover the unseen cost: pervasive mental health crises—notably among those still recovering from another major storm in 2024.
While the primary focus is directed toward rebuilding infrastructure, academic work over the last several years indicate that the risk of severe anxiety disorders increases significantly after hurricanes and displacement. Researchers are now calling for the inclusion of psychosocial services into climate-disaster policy across Caribbean nations.
Increased Risks: Insecurity and Emotional Stability
Scholars stress how long-term dislocation, destroyed jobs, and poor access to care amplify emotional distress. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper flagged a heightened danger of anxiety, depression, and PTSD after natural disasters. Further research recorded parallel anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people displaced by previous storms.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has examined disaster survivors in multiple countries, notes that survivors typically experience three primary mental health challenges: PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a professor in geography and disaster risk management, concurs. She notes that while people are often tough, as the planet continues to warm, emotional fallout is becoming an increasingly significant issue—even though comprehensive data is not widely available.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that women affected reported more severe emotional impact than men. “It indicates that women are more susceptible than males when disaster strikes,” Smith explains.
The Long Road to Psychological Repair
Dr. Heanoy says that while some initial improvement in mental health may occur within a year, the lasting effects can be unpredictable. The degree to which survivors recover hinges on the specific triggers and the care they receive.
The experts see that the loss of homes and livelihoods can intensify the mental struggle to rebuild. Smith calls housing loss “a key traumatic factor,” especially when insurance or savings are lacking. “Starting again comes with its own mental burden,” she emphasizes.
Ifill witnesses the identical trend among her patients: “Individuals who had pre-existing mental health challenges have reported it’s much more severe in this time since the storm.”
In addition to the psychological impact, tangible problems persist. The hurricane severely damaged critical water infrastructure, delaying the reliable supply of clean water. Insurance payouts, while crucial, are insufficient to fix the chronic vulnerabilities laid bare by the storm.
Social Cohesion as a Essential Foundation
Perhaps most importantly is that material recovery cannot heal the emotional wounds caused by the loss of loved ones. Expert analysis consistently finds that survivors commonly experience community support to be more effective than government assistance.
“The government’s role is crucial,” Smith acknowledges. “In its absence, or when it is slow, local people keep each other whole.”
Ifill similarly praises the power of mutual support in navigating hardship. She says she was “struck by the resilient spirit” among strong communities. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has a positive outlook, they find lightness about the storm.”
Additionally, she commends initiatives to promote psychological self-care after the disaster but cautions about the harms of doomscrolling. “The guidance included limiting social media, following official updates, and using messaging apps to maintain social support.”
An Increasing Regional Priority
Over the past decade, psychosocial care has garnered greater attention from international agencies due to the escalating climate emergency. The rising occurrence of climate disasters has prompted the development of guidelines for trauma support.
Regional institutions have published practical guides to assist responders in providing psychological care in the aftermath of traumatic events. These efforts aim to build community and personal strength by training professionals, combating stigma, and promoting the seeking of professional help.
Financial support are also highlighted as key for protecting emotional well-being. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a previous flood, emphasizes the despair that arises when expected aid is not delivered. “Officials visited... But to this date, we were not granted the promised help,” he states.
An Appeal for Holistic Healing
Analysts argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a very small fraction of global emissions yet suffers extreme climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed essential to avoid prolonged suffering.
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