When the devastating cyclone ravaged Jamaica on 28 October with ferocious 185mph gusts, it resulted in a landscape of widespread ruin. Residences, hospitals, and key utilities were destroyed, leading to 32 fatalities and affecting an approximate 1.5 million people. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the material damage would be shadowed by profound and enduring psychological scars.
“Everyday things can activate them,” Ifill states. “An individual described a cart we often move through the halls, whose clatter sounded like cracking branches and the howling wind. She has become averse to experiencing that auditory reminder.”
Over six weeks after the catastrophe, which also affected neighboring Cuba, flashbacks of the frightening storm continue to affect some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of falling rain can now elicit panic among those who lived through it.
The Unseen Cost Amidst Financial Losses
The catastrophic event led to a massive aid package totaling billions of dollars over three years and an extra payment of millions from a innovative catastrophe bond. But, experts warn this monetary aid does not address the unseen cost: extensive emotional suffering—notably among those who had been recovering from another major storm in 2024.
Although most attention targets restoring buildings, research over the past three years demonstrate that the probability of PTSD grows markedly after major storms and forced relocation. Researchers are now calling for the incorporation of mental health support into disaster response plans across the region.
Compounded Vulnerabilities: Displacement and Emotional Stability
Researchers emphasize how extended displacement, loss of livelihoods, and insufficient support worsen psychological vulnerabilities. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper flagged a significant risk of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after climate-related events. Further research found parallel anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people displaced by other hurricanes.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has examined disaster survivors globally, notes that survivors often encounter a trio of psychological hurdles: severe stress and mood disorders.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in disaster studies, echoes this view. She points out that while individuals can be strong, as the climate crisis worsens, psychological well-being is becoming an major issue—despite the fact that detailed prevalence surveys is not widely available.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that women affected reported greater psychological suffering than male counterparts. “This suggests women are more susceptible than males in such catastrophes,” Smith says.
The Long Road to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy states that while some short-term recovery in psychological state is often seen within a year, the lasting effects remain uncertain. The degree to which survivors heal depends heavily on the nature of the trauma and the support available.
The experts observe that the being rendered homeless and possessions can intensify the mental struggle to rebuild. Smith calls housing loss “a major source of stress,” especially when people have no economic cushion. “Reconstruction comes with its own emotional tax,” she emphasizes.
Ifill sees the parallel situation among her patients: “Individuals who had pre-existing mental health challenges have reported it’s significantly worse in this aftermath.”
Beyond the emotional damage, tangible challenges remain. The hurricane severely damaged key water infrastructure, delaying the full return of water services. Financial aid, while helpful, are insufficient to fix the chronic vulnerabilities revealed by the storm.
Community Support as a Essential Lifeline
Perhaps most importantly is that physical reconstruction by itself cannot heal the emotional wounds caused by permanent disabilities. Expert analysis indicates that survivors commonly experience help from neighbors to be more effective than government assistance.
“State support is essential,” Smith acknowledges. “In its absence, or when it is inefficient, communities keep each other whole.”
Ifill notes the value of social bonds in coping with disaster. She notes she was “struck by the positive attitude” among strong communities. “Your house is gone, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they make jokes about the storm.”
Ifill also acknowledges steps to support mental health awareness after the disaster but cautions about the harms of doomscrolling. “My advice was limiting social media, following official updates, and turning to apps to maintain social support.”
An Expanding Regional Priority
Recently, psychosocial care has garnered greater attention from international agencies due to the intensifying climate emergency. The growing regularity of climate disasters has catalyzed the development of frameworks for trauma support.
International bodies have published practical guides to help aid personnel in offering psychosocial support in the immediate period of catastrophes. These initiatives aim to foster individual and social resilience by building capacity, combating stigma, and encouraging the seeking of professional help.
Monetary aid are also highlighted as crucial for safeguarding psychological recovery. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a previous flood, stresses the despair that arises when promised compensation fails to materialize. “Officials visited... But to this date, we did not receive any payment,” he recounts.
A Call for Integrated Rebuilding
Experts note that the Caribbean region is responsible for a tiny fraction of planetary pollution yet suffers extreme climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed critical to mitigate prolonged suffering.
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