When the devastating cyclone made landfall on Jamaica on the 28th of October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it caused a landscape of catastrophic damage. Homes, medical facilities, and vital systems were severely compromised, leading to 32 deaths and impacting an staggering 1.5 million. For mental health expert Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the material damage would be paired with profound and long-term traumatic memories.
“Commonplace occurrences can trigger them,” Ifill explains. “One woman mentioned a cart we often roll through the passageways, whose clatter sounded like cracking branches and the fierce gales. She has become averse to experiencing that particular noise.”
Weeks after the catastrophe, which also struck eastern Cuba, flashbacks of the horrific event continue to affect some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of falling rain can now cause stress reactions among individuals who endured it.
The Hidden Toll Beyond Billions in Damage
This disaster led to a significant aid package worth up to up to $6.7bn over three years and an additional payment of $150m from a innovative risk financing tool. Yet, authorities note this economic assistance fails to account for the psychological cost: widespread trauma—notably among those still recovering from a previous disaster in 2024.
Whereas the primary focus targets rebuilding infrastructure, academic work over the recent years demonstrate that the probability of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rises markedly after major storms and displacement. Researchers are now urging the integration of psychosocial services into national recovery strategies across small island developing states.
Compounded Vulnerabilities: Displacement and Mental Health
Scholars emphasize how prolonged homelessness, vanishing incomes, and poor access to care amplify mental health risks. A scholarly article warned of a heightened danger of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after extreme weather. Further research documented parallel psychological turmoil among people affected by previous storms.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has examined disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors often encounter a trio of psychological hurdles: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a lecturer in disaster studies, echoes this view. She notes that while individuals can be strong, as the climate crisis worsens, psychological well-being is becoming an ever more critical issue—even though detailed prevalence surveys is still lacking.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that women affected reported higher mental distress than men. “It indicates that women are at greater emotional risk than males when disaster strikes,” Smith says.
The Uncertain Path to Healing
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some initial improvement in mental health can happen within a year of the event, long-term outcomes are still unclear. The likelihood to which survivors recover is largely determined by the nature of the trauma and the support available.
The experts observe that the being rendered homeless and resources can magnify the mental struggle to recover. Smith calls housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” especially when people have no economic cushion. “Starting again comes with its own mental burden,” she emphasizes.
Ifill sees the parallel situation among her patients: “Individuals who had previous psychological issues have found it’s much more severe in this time since the storm.”
Apart from the mental impact, tangible issues continue. The hurricane severely damaged vital water infrastructure, hampering the full return of water services. Monetary relief, while helpful, cannot resolve the chronic vulnerabilities laid bare by the storm.
Community Networks as a Essential Foundation
Perhaps most importantly is that physical reconstruction by itself does not address the psychological injuries caused by life-altering injuries. Studies shows that survivors commonly experience community support to be more effective than government assistance.
“The government’s role is important,” Smith says. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is slow, neighbors keep each other whole.”
Ifill notes the value of social bonds in coping with disaster. She says she was “impressed by the sense of humour” among strong communities. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they make jokes about the storm.”
Ifill also commends initiatives to promote emotional well-being after the disaster but advises about the negative effects of doomscrolling. “My advice was curating news intake, trusting verified sources, and turning to apps to maintain social support.”
An Increasing International Focus
Recently, mental health has become a higher priority from global organizations due to the escalating climate crisis. The growing regularity of hurricanes has led to the development of guidelines for trauma support.
Major health organizations have released detailed resources to assist field workers in delivering psychological care in the immediate period of disasters. These efforts aim to foster community and personal strength by building capacity, combating stigma, and facilitating the use of mental health services.
Monetary resources are also identified as crucial for preserving mental health. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost his livelihood in a similar event, emphasizes the hopelessness that arises when promised compensation fails to materialize. “Officials visited... But to this date, we were not granted the promised help,” he says.
An Appeal for Comprehensive Healing
Experts argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a minuscule fraction of planetary pollution yet endures disproportionate climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed vital to mitigate enduring trauma.
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