When Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica on the 28th of October with ferocious 185mph gusts, it left behind a picture of catastrophic damage. Dwellings, medical facilities, and key utilities were severely compromised, leading to 32 deaths and impacting an staggering 1.5 million people. For clinical psychologist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the tangible destruction would be shadowed by profound and enduring psychological scars.
“Everyday things can provoke them,” Ifill states. “An individual described a cart we often push through the halls, whose noise evoked memories of splintering trees and the fierce gales. She no longer wants to experiencing that particular noise.”
A month and a half after the catastrophe, which also impacted parts of Cuba, flashbacks of the horrific event continue to haunt a number of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. The mere sound of rain can now elicit trauma responses among those who lived through it.
The catastrophic event led to a massive financial package valued at billions of dollars over three years and an extra disbursement of $150 million from a innovative risk financing tool. But, experts warn this financial relief cannot cover the psychological cost: pervasive mental health crises—particularly among those previously affected from a previous disaster in 2024.
While most attention centers on rebuilding infrastructure, academic work over the recent years show that the likelihood of PTSD rises substantially after hurricanes and displacement. Experts are now advocating for the incorporation of mental health support into national recovery strategies across Caribbean nations.
Scholars emphasize how long-term dislocation, loss of livelihoods, and poor access to care amplify psychological vulnerabilities. A scholarly article flagged a heightened danger of severe mental health issues after natural disasters. Additional analysis recorded parallel psychological turmoil among people displaced by previous storms.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has examined disaster survivors in multiple countries, notes that survivors typically experience several key psychological hurdles: severe stress and mood disorders.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in risk reduction, 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 showed greater psychological suffering than men. “It indicates that women are at greater emotional risk than males when disaster strikes,” Smith says.
Dr. Heanoy says that while some short-term recovery in psychological state may occur within a year of the event, long-term outcomes are still unclear. The extent to which survivors heal hinges on the circumstances of their suffering and the support available.
The experts observe that the destruction of property and possessions can intensify the emotional challenge to rebuild. Smith labels housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” notably when insurance or savings are lacking. “Reconstruction comes with its own emotional tax,” she emphasizes.
Ifill sees the same pattern among her clients: “People who had mental health conditions before have found it’s much more severe in this time since the storm.”
In addition to the emotional toll, physical challenges remain. The hurricane severely damaged critical water infrastructure, slowing the complete restoration of water services. Monetary relief, while helpful, do not address all of the systemic weaknesses revealed by the storm.
Perhaps most importantly is that material recovery fails to mend the deep sorrow caused by the loss of loved ones. Research shows that survivors commonly experience community support to be more effective than government assistance.
“The government’s role is crucial,” Smith states. “In its absence, or when it is delayed, communities keep each other whole.”
Ifill notes the value of mutual support in overcoming challenges. She notes she was “moved by the positive attitude” among resilient populations. “Your house is gone, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they share laughter about the storm.”
She further acknowledges initiatives to promote psychological self-care after the disaster but warns about the negative effects of consuming endless negative news. “My advice was reducing screen time, following official updates, and using messaging apps to connect with family.”
In recent years, mental health has garnered greater attention from global organizations due to the escalating planetary changes. The increasing frequency of climate disasters has led to the development of guidelines for mental health response.
Regional institutions have released detailed resources to assist aid personnel in offering psychosocial support in the wake of disasters. These projects aim to foster psychological fortitude by educating caregivers, combating stigma, and promoting the use of mental health services.
Monetary support are also identified as crucial for safeguarding emotional well-being. A agricultural worker from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a similar event, emphasizes the despair that arises when official support fails to materialize. “They came... But up to this day, we were not granted compensation,” he recounts.
Experts argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a minuscule fraction of planetary pollution yet suffers disproportionate climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed critical to prevent enduring trauma.
“Our reality and our infrastructure do not match|cor
Eva de Vries is a passionate book lover and local writer from Eindhoven.
