When the powerful Category 5 storm made landfall on Jamaica on 28 October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it resulted in a landscape of widespread ruin. Homes, healthcare centers, and vital systems were severely compromised, resulting in 32 fatalities and affecting an staggering 1.5 million individuals. For clinical psychologist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was immediately clear that the physical wreckage would be shadowed by profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Simple things can trigger them,” Ifill explains. “An individual spoke of a cart we often roll through the passageways, whose noise evoked memories of breaking wood and the howling wind. She now refuses to listening to that particular noise.”
Over six weeks after the catastrophe, which also struck neighboring Cuba, flashbacks of the horrific event continue to haunt a number of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Simply the noise of falling rain can now prompt stress reactions among those who lived through it.
The Hidden Toll Beyond Billions in Damage
The catastrophic event led to a significant financial package worth up to $6.7 billion over a three-year period and an extra disbursement of millions from a groundbreaking risk financing tool. Yet, experts warn this economic assistance does not address the invisible cost: pervasive mental health crises—especially among those still recovering from Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
While the primary focus targets rebuilding infrastructure, academic work over the past three years demonstrate that the probability of PTSD grows significantly after major storms and forced relocation. Experts are now calling for the incorporation of mental health support into disaster response plans across small island developing states.
Compounded Vulnerabilities: Insecurity and Mental Health
Scholars emphasize how long-term dislocation, loss of livelihoods, and inadequate services exacerbate emotional distress. A recent regional study warned of a heightened danger of anxiety, depression, and PTSD after natural disasters. Another study found parallel psychological turmoil among people who survived tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has examined disaster survivors worldwide, notes that survivors could face several key emotional obstacles: PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a scholar in geography and disaster risk management, echoes this view. She points out that while people are often tough, as the climate crisis worsens, psychological well-being is becoming an ever more critical issue—despite the fact that extensive research is often insufficient.
These experts found that women experienced greater psychological suffering than men. “It indicates that women are more susceptible than males in such catastrophes,” Smith says.
The Difficult Journey to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy states that while some early progress in psychological state can happen within a twelve-month period, long-term outcomes can be unpredictable. The likelihood to which survivors recover hinges on the specific triggers and the resources accessible.
The experts see that the being rendered homeless and possessions can intensify the psychological burden to rebuild. Smith describes housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” especially when people have no economic cushion. “Reconstruction comes with its own emotional tax,” she says.
Ifill witnesses the same pattern among her clients: “People who had previous psychological issues have found it’s far more intense in this aftermath.”
In addition to the psychological damage, practical challenges persist. The hurricane severely damaged vital water infrastructure, slowing the reliable supply of water services. Insurance payouts, while necessary, do not address all of the chronic vulnerabilities exposed by the storm.
Grassroots Support as a Vital Foundation
A key finding is that material recovery fails to mend the psychological injuries caused by the loss of loved ones. Studies shows that survivors commonly experience social networks to be more responsive than official aid.
“The government’s role is essential,” Smith acknowledges. “In its absence, or when it is delayed, communities keep each other whole.”
Ifill notes the value of mutual support in coping with disaster. She recalls being “moved by the sense of humour” among resilient populations. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has a supportive culture, they find lightness about the storm.”
Additionally, she acknowledges efforts to encourage emotional well-being after the disaster but advises about the dangers of constant exposure to traumatic media. “My advice was limiting social media, sticking to reliable news, and turning to apps to maintain social support.”
A Growing International Focus
Over the past decade, mental health has garnered greater attention from international agencies due to the intensifying climate emergency. The increasing frequency of extreme weather has led to the development of tools for psychological first aid.
Regional institutions have released comprehensive manuals to train responders in providing emotional aid in the immediate period of catastrophes. These projects aim to foster community and personal strength by educating caregivers, combating stigma, and facilitating the access to psychological care.
Monetary aid are also identified as fundamental for protecting psychological recovery. A farmer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, stresses the hopelessness that arises when expected aid fails to materialize. “Assessments were made... But to this date, we did not receive any payment,” he says.
A Plea for Comprehensive Rebuilding
Analysts argue that the Caribbean region is responsible for a very small fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet bears extreme climate impacts. A rapid and adequately resourced rebuilding is deemed vital to mitigate prolonged suffering.
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