When the powerful Category 5 storm ravaged Jamaica on 28 October with ferocious 185mph gusts, it resulted in a landscape of utter destruction. Homes, hospitals, and vital systems were destroyed, leading to the tragic loss of 32 lives and disrupting the lives of an staggering 1.5 million people. For mental health expert Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the material damage would be paired with profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Simple sounds can activate them,” Ifill states. “One woman spoke of a trolley we often move through the corridors, whose noise sounded like splintering trees and the roaring storm. She has become averse to experiencing that sound.”
A month and a half after the catastrophe, which also struck parts of Cuba, recollections of the horrific event continue to affect some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. The mere sound of a downpour can now elicit stress reactions among individuals who endured it.
The Psychological Price Alongside Financial Losses
The catastrophic event led to a massive recovery package totaling up to $6.7bn over a three-year period and an extra disbursement of $150m from a pioneering risk financing tool. But, experts warn this financial relief fails to account for the unseen cost: pervasive mental health crises—especially among those still recovering from another major storm in 2024.
Whereas most attention is directed toward restoring buildings, academic work over the last several years indicate that the likelihood of severe anxiety disorders increases significantly after major storms and displacement. Experts are now calling for the integration of mental health support into climate-disaster policy across the region.
Increased Risks: Loss and Mental Health
Researchers highlight how long-term dislocation, destroyed jobs, and inadequate services exacerbate psychological vulnerabilities. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper warned of a clear threat of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after extreme weather. Additional analysis recorded similar anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people who survived tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a academic who has analyzed disaster survivors globally, notes that survivors could face three primary psychological hurdles: severe stress and mood disorders.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in risk reduction, agrees. She notes that while humans are generally resilient, as the frequency of disasters increases, emotional fallout is becoming an ever more critical issue—even though comprehensive data is often insufficient.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that women showed more severe emotional impact than male counterparts. “This suggests women are more susceptible than males when disaster strikes,” Smith comments.
The Long Road to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy says that while some initial improvement in psychological state is often seen within a year of the event, the lasting effects can be unpredictable. The extent to which survivors recover is largely determined by the circumstances of their suffering and the support available.
The experts note that the loss of homes and livelihoods can intensify the emotional challenge to recover. Smith calls housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” notably when people have no economic cushion. “Reconstruction comes with its own mental burden,” she adds.
Ifill sees the identical trend among her patients: “People who had pre-existing mental health challenges have reported it’s much more severe in this aftermath.”
Beyond the psychological toll, practical problems persist. The hurricane wiped out key water infrastructure, delaying the reliable supply of water services. Monetary relief, while crucial, do not address all of the deep-seated infrastructure problems exposed by the storm.
Grassroots Cohesion as a Vital Lifeline
Perhaps most importantly is that material recovery does not address the deep sorrow caused by the loss of loved ones. Research shows that survivors commonly experience social networks to be more responsive than official aid.
“State support is crucial,” Smith says. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is slow, communities keep each other whole.”
Ifill similarly praises the strength of community solidarity in coping with disaster. She notes she was “struck by the positive attitude” among tight-knit groups. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they share laughter about the storm.”
She further acknowledges efforts to encourage psychological self-care after the disaster but cautions about the harms of doomscrolling. “My advice was reducing screen time, following official updates, and turning to apps to maintain social support.”
An Expanding Regional Priority
Recently, psychological support has garnered greater attention from global organizations due to the worsening planetary changes. The growing regularity of extreme weather has prompted the development of tools for trauma support.
International bodies have developed comprehensive manuals to train field workers in delivering psychosocial support in the immediate period of traumatic events. These efforts aim to build individual and social resilience by building capacity, promoting openness, and encouraging the seeking of professional help.
Economic support are also underlined as crucial for safeguarding mental health. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a past disaster, emphasizes the frustration that arises when official support fails to materialize. “They came... But to this date, we were not granted the promised help,” he says.
A Plea for Holistic Rebuilding
Experts argue that the Caribbean region contributes a very small fraction of global emissions yet endures extreme climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed vital to mitigate prolonged suffering.
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