When the powerful Category 5 storm made landfall on Jamaica on the 28th of October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it left behind a picture of utter destruction. Dwellings, healthcare centers, and vital systems were severely compromised, leading to 32 fatalities and impacting an estimated 1.5 million. For clinical psychologist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the tangible destruction would be shadowed by profound and long-term traumatic memories.
“Everyday things can trigger them,” Ifill states. “An individual described a wheeled bin we often push through the corridors, whose noise sounded like splintering trees and the fierce gales. She no longer wants to hearing that sound.”
A month and a half after the catastrophe, which also affected parts of Cuba, recollections of the terrifying winds continue to haunt a number of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Simply the noise of a downpour can now prompt trauma responses among those who lived through it.
The Psychological Price Amidst Financial Losses
This disaster led to a massive recovery package valued at up to $6.7bn over three years and an further payment of millions from a groundbreaking disaster insurance instrument. Yet, specialists caution this economic assistance does not address the invisible cost: extensive emotional suffering—particularly among those still recovering from a previous disaster in 2024.
While most attention is directed toward rebuilding infrastructure, studies over the past three years indicate that the likelihood of severe anxiety disorders rises significantly after major storms and forced relocation. Experts are now advocating for the incorporation of psychosocial services into disaster response plans across small island developing states.
Layered Struggles: Loss and Mental Health
Scholars stress how long-term dislocation, loss of livelihoods, and insufficient support exacerbate emotional distress. A recent regional study flagged a significant risk of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after extreme weather. Further research found similar anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people who survived other hurricanes.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has analyzed disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors typically experience several key mental health challenges: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in geography and disaster risk management, echoes this view. She observes that while people are often tough, as the climate crisis worsens, emotional fallout is becoming an increasingly significant issue—even though detailed prevalence surveys is often insufficient.
These experts found that women affected experienced more severe emotional impact than men. “It indicates that women are more susceptible than males in such catastrophes,” Smith says.
The Long Road to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some short-term recovery in mental health is often seen within a year, long-term outcomes are still unclear. The likelihood to which survivors recover depends heavily on the nature of the trauma and the care they receive.
The experts note that the loss of homes and resources can magnify the emotional challenge to start over. Smith labels housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” particularly when people have no economic cushion. “Rebuilding comes with its own psychological weight,” she says.
Ifill sees the same pattern among her those seeking help: “People who had previous psychological issues have found it’s much more severe in this short period of time.”
In addition to the mental impact, tangible issues continue. The hurricane severely damaged vital water infrastructure, slowing the reliable supply of water services. Insurance payouts, while crucial, cannot resolve the deep-seated infrastructure problems laid bare by the storm.
Grassroots Cohesion as a Critical Pillar
Critically is that rebuilding alone fails to mend the deep sorrow caused by permanent disabilities. Studies shows that survivors often find community support to be more responsive than bureaucratic help.
“The government’s role is crucial,” Smith says. “In its absence, or when it is delayed, local people provide mutual aid.”
Ifill also highlights the value of social bonds in coping with disaster. She recalls being “struck by the sense of humour” among resilient populations. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they share laughter about the storm.”
Ifill also praises efforts to promote psychological self-care after the disaster but warns about the negative effects of doomscrolling. “I recommended limiting social media, trusting verified sources, and leveraging technology to connect with family.”
An Increasing Regional Priority
Recently, psychological support has received more focus from international agencies due to the intensifying planetary changes. The growing regularity of climate disasters has led to the development of tools for mental health response.
Major health organizations have released detailed resources to assist field workers in offering psychosocial support in the wake of traumatic events. These initiatives aim to strengthen individual and social resilience by educating caregivers, reducing shame, and facilitating the access to psychological care.
Monetary aid are also highlighted as crucial for safeguarding psychological recovery. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost his livelihood in a previous flood, emphasizes the hopelessness that arises when official support is not delivered. “Assessments were made... But up to this day, we never got any payment,” he says.
A Plea for Holistic Healing
Analysts argue that the Caribbean region accounts for a very small fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet bears disproportionate climate impacts. A swift, well-funded recovery is deemed essential to prevent prolonged suffering.
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