When the powerful Category 5 storm made landfall on Jamaica on 28 October with winds of 185mph, it caused a landscape of widespread ruin. Dwellings, hospitals, and critical infrastructure were destroyed, resulting in 32 fatalities and affecting an staggering 1.5 million. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was instantly apparent that the tangible destruction would be shadowed by profound and long-term traumatic memories.
“Simple occurrences can provoke them,” Ifill notes. “One woman mentioned a cart we often move through the halls, whose clatter sounded like breaking wood and the fierce gales. She now refuses to listening to that sound.”
A month and a half after the catastrophe, which also impacted parts of Cuba, memories of the terrifying winds continue to affect many staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Simply the noise of rain can now cause panic among those who lived through it.
The Unseen Cost Beyond Financial Losses
This disaster resulted in a significant aid package valued at billions of dollars over three years and an further disbursement of $150 million from a pioneering risk financing tool. However, authorities note this financial relief does not address the invisible cost: widespread trauma—particularly among those who had been recovering from a previous disaster in 2024.
Although most attention targets rebuilding infrastructure, academic work over the last several years demonstrate that the probability of PTSD grows markedly after major storms and losing one's home. Experts are now calling for the integration of psychological care into disaster response plans across small island developing states.
Increased Risks: Insecurity and Psychological Well-being
Researchers highlight how long-term dislocation, destroyed jobs, and inadequate services worsen emotional distress. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper identified a heightened danger of severe mental health issues after natural disasters. Additional analysis documented similar psychological turmoil among people displaced by previous storms.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has studied disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors typically experience three primary mental health challenges: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a lecturer in risk reduction, concurs. She points out that while people are often tough, as the frequency of disasters increases, psychological well-being is becoming an increasingly significant issue—despite the fact that extensive research is often insufficient.
The researchers found that women reported higher mental distress than men. “It indicates that women are more susceptible than males when disaster strikes,” Smith says.
The Difficult Journey to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy says that while some initial improvement in mental health may occur within a twelve-month period, long-term outcomes are still unclear. The degree to which survivors bounce back hinges on the nature of the trauma and the support available.
The experts see that the loss of homes and livelihoods can magnify the psychological burden to rebuild. Smith calls housing loss “a major source of stress,” particularly when financial safety nets are absent. “Reconstruction comes with its own mental burden,” she adds.
Ifill sees the same pattern among her those seeking help: “Individuals who had pre-existing mental health challenges have found it’s significantly worse in this aftermath.”
Apart from the emotional damage, tangible challenges persist. The hurricane wiped out critical water infrastructure, hampering the full return of water services. Insurance payouts, while necessary, do not address all of the systemic weaknesses revealed by the storm.
Grassroots Support as a Essential Foundation
A key finding is that material recovery cannot heal the deep sorrow caused by the loss of loved ones. Studies consistently finds that survivors frequently report help from neighbors to be more responsive than official aid.
“State support is important,” Smith states. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is delayed, local people support one another.”
Ifill also highlights the strength of community solidarity in coping with disaster. She notes she was “struck by the resilient spirit” among strong communities. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they make jokes about the storm.”
She further commends initiatives to promote mental health awareness after the disaster but advises about the negative effects of constant exposure to traumatic media. “I recommended curating news intake, sticking to reliable news, and turning to apps to stay in touch with loved ones.”
An Increasing Global Recognition
Over the past decade, mental health has garnered greater attention from international agencies due to the escalating climate emergency. The growing regularity of hurricanes has led to the development of tools for trauma support.
Regional institutions have published detailed resources to assist responders in providing psychological care in the immediate period of traumatic events. These initiatives aim to foster individual and social resilience by training professionals, combating stigma, and promoting the use of mental health services.
Economic aid are also identified as fundamental for safeguarding emotional well-being. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, stresses the frustration that arises when expected aid fails to materialize. “Assessments were made... But even now, we did not receive compensation,” he recounts.
An Appeal for Integrated Rebuilding
Experts note that the Caribbean region accounts for a minuscule fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet suffers disproportionate climate impacts. A swift, well-funded recovery is deemed vital to prevent chronic psychological damage.
“The current situation and our infrastructure do not match|cor
