When the powerful Category 5 storm struck Jamaica on 28 October with winds of 185mph, it left behind a picture of catastrophic damage. Homes, hospitals, and vital systems were severely compromised, causing 32 fatalities and impacting an estimated 1.5 million individuals. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the material damage would be accompanied by profound and long-term traumatic memories.
“Simple occurrences can trigger them,” Ifill notes. “A patient spoke of a cart we often roll through the passageways, whose noise sounded like splintering trees and the roaring storm. She now refuses to experiencing that particular noise.”
A month and a half after the catastrophe, which also affected eastern Cuba, memories of the frightening storm continue to trouble many staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of rain can now prompt panic among survivors.
The Hidden Toll Amidst Financial Losses
The catastrophic event triggered a significant recovery package totaling billions of dollars over a three-year period and an extra payment of $150 million from a innovative disaster insurance instrument. But, specialists caution this monetary aid does not address the unseen cost: extensive emotional suffering—particularly among those previously affected from a previous disaster in 2024.
Although the primary focus targets restoring buildings, studies over the last several years show that the probability of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) grows substantially after major storms and losing one's home. Experts are now urging the incorporation of psychological care into disaster response plans across small island developing states.
Layered Struggles: Insecurity and Mental Health
Researchers emphasize how long-term dislocation, destroyed jobs, and poor access to care exacerbate psychological vulnerabilities. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper identified a significant risk of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after climate-related events. Further research recorded parallel psychological turmoil among people affected by tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has studied disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors could face three primary psychological hurdles: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in disaster studies, echoes this view. She notes that while people are often tough, as the frequency of disasters increases, emotional fallout is becoming an ever more critical issue—despite the fact that extensive research is often insufficient.
Both Smith and Heanoy found that female survivors experienced greater psychological suffering than men. “So it’s quite possible women are at greater emotional risk than males during these events,” Smith comments.
The Difficult Journey to Psychological Repair
Dr. Heanoy says that while some initial improvement in mental health can happen within a twelve-month period, the lasting effects can be unpredictable. The extent to which survivors recover depends heavily on the specific triggers and the support available.
The experts see that the destruction of property and possessions can magnify the mental struggle to rebuild. Smith describes housing loss “a major source of stress,” especially when insurance or savings are lacking. “Starting again comes with its own psychological weight,” she emphasizes.
Ifill sees the parallel situation among her patients: “Those who had pre-existing mental health challenges have noticed it’s far more intense in this short period of time.”
Apart from the mental damage, physical issues continue. The hurricane severely damaged vital water infrastructure, delaying the full return of clean water. Financial aid, while helpful, do not address all of the systemic weaknesses exposed by the storm.
Community Networks as a Essential Pillar
Perhaps most importantly is that material recovery cannot heal the deep sorrow caused by permanent disabilities. Expert analysis shows that survivors commonly experience help from neighbors to be more effective than government assistance.
“The government’s role is important,” Smith states. “In its absence, or when it is slow, communities keep each other whole.”
Ifill similarly praises the value of mutual support in coping with disaster. She says she was “struck by the positive attitude” among resilient populations. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they find lightness about the storm.”
Additionally, she commends efforts to encourage mental health awareness after the disaster but cautions about the dangers of doomscrolling. “The guidance included reducing screen time, following official updates, and turning to apps to connect with family.”
An Expanding International Focus
Over the past decade, psychosocial care has become a higher priority from world bodies due to the intensifying planetary changes. The rising occurrence of climate disasters has led to the development of guidelines for mental health response.
International bodies have published practical guides to assist aid personnel in providing psychological care in the aftermath of traumatic events. These initiatives aim to foster individual and social resilience by training professionals, reducing shame, and facilitating the access to psychological care.
Monetary aid are also highlighted as crucial for safeguarding emotional well-being. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a previous flood, stresses the frustration that arises when promised compensation never arrives. “They came... But up to this day, we never got the promised help,” he says.
A Call for Integrated Healing
Leaders argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a tiny fraction of planetary pollution yet bears disproportionate climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed essential to prevent prolonged suffering.
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