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When the powerful Category 5 storm ravaged Jamaica on 28 October with winds of 185mph, it resulted in a picture of widespread ruin. Residences, healthcare centers, and key utilities were destroyed, leading to 32 deaths and affecting an estimated 1.5 million. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the material damage would be paired with profound and persistent emotional wounds.

“Simple sounds can provoke them,” Ifill states. “One woman described a trolley we often push through the passageways, whose noise sounded like cracking branches and the roaring storm. She has become averse to listening to that sound.”

Weeks after the hurricane, which also impacted eastern Cuba, flashbacks of the terrifying winds continue to haunt many staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Simply the noise of a downpour can now elicit stress reactions among survivors.

The Unseen Cost Alongside Financial Losses

This disaster led to a massive recovery package worth up to billions of dollars over three years and an extra payout of millions from a groundbreaking catastrophe bond. But, experts warn this financial relief cannot cover the invisible cost: extensive emotional suffering—particularly among those previously affected from another major storm in 2024.

Although most attention is directed toward rebuilding infrastructure, research over the past three years show that the likelihood of severe anxiety disorders increases markedly after climate disasters and losing one's home. Experts are now urging the integration of psychological care into climate-disaster policy across small island developing states.

Increased Risks: Insecurity and Emotional Stability

Academics emphasize how extended displacement, loss of livelihoods, and insufficient support worsen psychological vulnerabilities. A recent regional study identified a clear threat of severe mental health issues after natural disasters. Additional analysis recorded parallel anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people displaced by other hurricanes.

Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has analyzed disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors often encounter three primary psychological hurdles: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a lecturer in geography and disaster risk management, agrees. She points out that while individuals can be strong, as the planet continues to warm, mental health is becoming an increasingly significant issue—despite the fact that detailed prevalence surveys is not widely available.

Both Smith and Heanoy found that female survivors experienced higher mental distress than men. “So it’s quite possible women are at greater emotional risk than males in such catastrophes,” Smith comments.

The Difficult Journey to Recovery

Dr. Heanoy notes that while some short-term recovery in psychological state can happen within a year, long-term outcomes can be unpredictable. The degree to which survivors bounce back hinges on the specific triggers and the resources accessible.

The experts note that the destruction of property and resources can intensify the psychological burden to recover. Smith labels housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” notably when people have no economic cushion. “Starting again comes with its own psychological weight,” she adds.

Ifill witnesses the parallel situation among her patients: “People who had mental health conditions before have found it’s much more severe in this short period of time.”

In addition to the emotional impact, physical issues persist. The hurricane destroyed critical water infrastructure, hampering the reliable supply of water services. Insurance payouts, while crucial, do not address all of the systemic weaknesses laid bare by the storm.

Social Cohesion as a Vital Pillar

Perhaps most importantly is that rebuilding alone cannot heal the emotional wounds caused by the loss of loved ones. Studies indicates that survivors frequently report community support to be more immediate than bureaucratic help.

“Official action is crucial,” Smith states. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is slow, communities support one another.”

Ifill notes the value of social bonds in coping with disaster. She recalls being “moved by the sense of humour” among resilient populations. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has a positive outlook, they share laughter about the storm.”

Ifill also acknowledges steps to support mental health awareness after the disaster but advises about the dangers of doomscrolling. “I recommended reducing screen time, sticking to reliable news, and using messaging apps to stay in touch with loved ones.”

A Growing International Focus

In recent years, psychological support has received more focus from global organizations due to the worsening climate emergency. The growing regularity of climate disasters has led to the development of tools for psychological first aid.

Regional institutions have published detailed resources to assist responders in offering psychosocial support in the immediate period of disasters. These efforts aim to strengthen individual and social resilience by educating caregivers, promoting openness, and encouraging the seeking of professional help.

Economic support are also highlighted as fundamental for protecting mental health. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, highlights the hopelessness that arises when promised compensation fails to materialize. “Assessments were made... But up to this day, we never got any payment,” he says.

A Plea for Holistic Healing

Analysts argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a minuscule fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet endures disastrous climate impacts. A swift, well-funded recovery is deemed essential to mitigate chronic psychological damage.

“The current situation and our infrastructure do not match|cor