When the devastating cyclone made landfall on Jamaica on October 28th with winds of 185mph, it left behind a landscape of catastrophic damage. Homes, healthcare centers, and key utilities were leveled, causing 32 fatalities and disrupting the lives of an staggering 1.5 million individuals. For mental health expert Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the tangible destruction would be paired with profound and long-term traumatic memories.
“Everyday occurrences can provoke them,” Ifill explains. “One woman mentioned a trolley we often move through the passageways, whose clatter sounded like splintering trees and the roaring storm. She now refuses to hearing that sound.”
Weeks after the storm, which also affected neighboring Cuba, flashbacks of the frightening storm continue to trouble a number of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. The mere sound of a downpour can now elicit panic among those who lived through it.
The Unseen Cost Alongside Financial Losses
This disaster led to a significant financial package totaling up to $6.7bn over a three-year period and an further disbursement of $150 million from a groundbreaking risk financing tool. However, experts warn this monetary aid cannot cover the unseen cost: widespread trauma—especially among those who had been recovering from Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
While the primary focus is directed toward rebuilding infrastructure, research over the recent years show that the likelihood of PTSD grows significantly after climate disasters and displacement. Mental health professionals are now urging the incorporation of psychological care into national recovery strategies across small island developing states.
Increased Risks: Displacement and Psychological Well-being
Researchers emphasize how prolonged homelessness, loss of livelihoods, and poor access to care exacerbate psychological vulnerabilities. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper flagged a clear threat of anxiety, depression, and PTSD after climate-related events. Additional analysis documented similar psychological turmoil among people displaced by tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a academic who has analyzed disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors could face a trio of psychological hurdles: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a lecturer in geography and disaster risk management, concurs. She observes that while individuals can be strong, as the climate crisis worsens, emotional fallout is becoming an ever more critical issue—even though extensive research is still lacking.
The researchers found that women reported more severe emotional impact than men. “It indicates that women are more susceptible than males in such catastrophes,” Smith says.
The Uncertain Path to Psychological Repair
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some early progress in mental health can happen within a year, the ultimate prognosis remain uncertain. The likelihood to which survivors bounce back hinges on the specific triggers and the support available.
The experts note that the loss of homes and livelihoods can heighten the psychological burden to start over. Smith describes housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” particularly when financial safety nets are absent. “Reconstruction comes with its own mental burden,” she says.
Ifill observes the parallel situation among her patients: “Individuals who had mental health conditions before have found it’s much more severe in this time since the storm.”
Beyond the emotional damage, practical problems persist. The hurricane wiped out vital water infrastructure, slowing the reliable supply of potable water. Monetary relief, while helpful, are insufficient to fix the systemic weaknesses laid bare by the storm.
Community Networks as a Essential Pillar
Critically is that physical reconstruction by itself cannot heal the deep sorrow caused by life-altering injuries. Expert analysis consistently finds that survivors commonly experience help from neighbors to be more effective than bureaucratic help.
“The government’s role is essential,” Smith says. “When it is lacking, or when it is slow, local people support one another.”
Ifill similarly praises the value of community solidarity in coping with disaster. She recalls being “struck by the positive attitude” among resilient populations. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they make jokes about the storm.”
Ifill also praises steps to promote psychological self-care after the disaster but warns about the dangers of constant exposure to traumatic media. “I recommended limiting social media, sticking to reliable news, and turning to apps to connect with family.”
An Expanding Global Recognition
Over the past decade, mental health has garnered greater attention from international agencies due to the worsening climate emergency. The increasing frequency of hurricanes has led to the development of tools for psychological first aid.
International bodies have developed comprehensive manuals to assist field workers in delivering psychological care in the wake of disasters. These efforts aim to strengthen individual and social resilience by training professionals, reducing shame, and facilitating the seeking of professional help.
Financial support are also underlined as key for preserving mental health. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, emphasizes the hopelessness that arises when expected aid never arrives. “Officials visited... But to this date, we were not granted any payment,” he recounts.
An Appeal for Holistic Healing
Analysts note that the Caribbean region is responsible for a minuscule fraction of global emissions yet bears disproportionate climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed critical to prevent prolonged suffering.
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