When the devastating cyclone ravaged Jamaica on 28 October with ferocious 185mph gusts, it caused a landscape of catastrophic damage. Dwellings, medical facilities, and vital systems were leveled, causing the tragic loss of 32 lives and impacting an approximate 1.5 million people. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was instantly apparent that the material damage would be paired with profound and enduring psychological scars.
“Simple things can provoke them,” Ifill explains. “An individual spoke of a trolley we often move through the halls, whose sound evoked memories of cracking branches and the howling wind. She has become averse to experiencing that auditory reminder.”
Weeks after the storm, which also affected parts of 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 a downpour can now prompt panic among survivors.
The Psychological Price Amidst Economic Reconstruction
Hurricane Melissa triggered a massive aid package worth up to billions of dollars over a three-year period and an additional disbursement of $150 million from a innovative catastrophe bond. But, experts warn this monetary aid does not address the unseen cost: widespread trauma—particularly among those previously affected from a previous disaster in 2024.
While the primary focus is directed toward restoring buildings, research over the recent years indicate that the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) grows significantly after hurricanes and forced relocation. Mental health professionals are now advocating for the incorporation of psychological care into disaster response plans across the region.
Layered Struggles: Insecurity and Psychological Well-being
Academics highlight how extended displacement, destroyed jobs, and inadequate services worsen emotional distress. A scholarly article flagged a heightened danger of severe mental health issues after extreme weather. Additional analysis documented parallel psychological turmoil among people affected by other hurricanes.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a academic who has analyzed disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors could face a trio of mental health challenges: PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in disaster studies, echoes this view. She observes that while people are often tough, as the frequency of disasters increases, mental health is becoming an major issue—despite the fact that comprehensive data is still lacking.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that women reported greater psychological suffering than men. “It indicates that women are more psychologically vulnerable than males in such catastrophes,” Smith says.
The Long Road to Healing
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some short-term recovery in well-being can happen within a year of the event, the lasting effects are still unclear. The extent to which survivors recover hinges on the specific triggers and the support available.
The experts observe that the destruction of property and resources can intensify the mental struggle to recover. Smith describes housing loss “a key traumatic factor,” particularly when financial safety nets are absent. “Reconstruction comes with its own psychological weight,” she emphasizes.
Ifill witnesses the identical trend among her patients: “Individuals who had previous psychological issues have found it’s significantly worse in this time since the storm.”
Apart from the emotional toll, physical problems persist. The hurricane severely damaged key water infrastructure, slowing the full return of water services. Financial aid, while helpful, are insufficient to fix the systemic weaknesses laid bare by the storm.
Social Support as a Critical Lifeline
Perhaps most importantly is that physical reconstruction by itself cannot heal the deep sorrow caused by permanent disabilities. Studies indicates that survivors often find help from neighbors to be more responsive than government assistance.
“The government’s role is crucial,” Smith says. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is delayed, neighbors keep each other whole.”
Ifill notes the value of mutual support in coping with disaster. She recalls being “moved by the sense of humour” among tight-knit groups. “Your house is gone, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they share laughter about the storm.”
Ifill also praises efforts to support mental health awareness after the disaster but cautions about the negative effects of doomscrolling. “The guidance included curating news intake, sticking to reliable news, and using messaging apps to maintain social support.”
An Increasing Global Recognition
Recently, psychological support has received more focus from global organizations due to the intensifying climate emergency. The increasing frequency of hurricanes has prompted the development of guidelines for psychological first aid.
Major health organizations have published detailed resources to help responders in providing psychological care in the wake of catastrophes. These projects aim to foster psychological fortitude by building capacity, reducing shame, and promoting the access to psychological care.
Financial resources are also identified as key for protecting psychological recovery. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a similar event, stresses the despair that arises when promised compensation fails to materialize. “They came... But even now, we were not granted any payment,” he says.
A Plea for Comprehensive Healing
Leaders argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a very small fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet bears extreme climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed essential to prevent prolonged suffering.
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