When the powerful Category 5 storm made landfall on Jamaica on 28 October with ferocious 185mph gusts, it caused a picture of utter destruction. Homes, hospitals, and vital systems were leveled, resulting in 32 fatalities and impacting an estimated 1.5 million individuals. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the physical wreckage would be shadowed by profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Simple occurrences can provoke them,” Ifill explains. “An individual mentioned a trolley we often roll through the corridors, whose sound evoked memories of breaking wood and the howling wind. She has become averse to hearing that sound.”
Over six weeks after the storm, which also impacted eastern Cuba, memories of the terrifying winds continue to affect many staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of rain can now cause stress reactions among those who lived through it.
The Hidden Toll Amidst Economic Reconstruction
This disaster led to a significant aid package worth up to $6.7 billion over a three-year period and an further payout of $150m from a pioneering risk financing tool. However, authorities note this economic assistance fails to account for the unseen cost: widespread trauma—particularly among those still recovering from Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
Whereas most attention centers on physical reconstruction, academic work over the recent years show that the likelihood of severe anxiety disorders increases significantly after major storms and forced relocation. Experts are now urging the inclusion of psychological care into climate-disaster policy across Caribbean nations.
Increased Risks: Displacement and Psychological Well-being
Academics highlight how prolonged homelessness, loss of livelihoods, and poor access to care worsen mental health risks. A recent regional study warned of a heightened danger of severe mental health issues after climate-related events. Further research recorded comparable fear, anxiety, and distress among people displaced by tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has studied disaster survivors in multiple countries, notes that survivors often encounter several key emotional obstacles: PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in disaster studies, agrees. She observes that while individuals can be strong, as the climate crisis worsens, mental health is becoming an increasingly significant issue—despite the fact that extensive research is still lacking.
These experts found that female survivors showed greater psychological suffering than men. “This suggests women are more psychologically vulnerable than males during these events,” Smith says.
The Difficult Journey to Healing
Dr. Heanoy says that while some initial improvement in psychological state can happen within a twelve-month period, the ultimate prognosis remain uncertain. The likelihood to which survivors heal hinges on the nature of the trauma and the support available.
The experts observe that the loss of homes and livelihoods can intensify the psychological burden to recover. Smith labels housing loss “a key traumatic factor,” particularly when insurance or savings are lacking. “Rebuilding comes with its own psychological weight,” she emphasizes.
Ifill witnesses the same pattern among her clients: “Those who had previous psychological issues have found it’s much more severe in this aftermath.”
In addition to the emotional impact, physical challenges remain. The hurricane wiped out vital water infrastructure, delaying the complete restoration of water services. Monetary relief, while helpful, cannot resolve the systemic weaknesses exposed by the storm.
Grassroots Support as a Critical Foundation
Critically is that physical reconstruction by itself fails to mend the emotional wounds caused by the loss of loved ones. Studies shows that survivors often find community support to be more responsive than bureaucratic help.
“State support is essential,” Smith states. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is slow, communities support one another.”
Ifill similarly praises the value of social bonds in coping with disaster. She says she was “moved by the sense of humour” among tight-knit groups. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they make jokes about the storm.”
Additionally, she praises initiatives to encourage mental health awareness after the disaster but cautions about the harms of doomscrolling. “I recommended reducing screen time, trusting verified sources, and leveraging technology to stay in touch with loved ones.”
An Expanding International Focus
Over the past decade, psychosocial care has received more focus from world bodies due to the escalating planetary changes. The rising occurrence of climate disasters has prompted the development of frameworks for psychological first aid.
Regional institutions have developed practical guides to help aid personnel in providing emotional aid in the immediate period of disasters. These initiatives aim to strengthen psychological fortitude by building capacity, combating stigma, and encouraging the use of mental health services.
Monetary aid are also underlined as crucial for safeguarding mental health. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a similar event, stresses the hopelessness that arises when official support is not delivered. “Assessments were made... But to this date, we were not granted the promised help,” he says.
A Call for Integrated Recovery
Experts observe that the Caribbean region is responsible for a very small fraction of planetary pollution yet bears disastrous climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed critical to prevent chronic psychological damage.
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