When Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica on the 28th of October with winds of 185mph, it left behind a landscape of utter destruction. Dwellings, healthcare centers, and critical infrastructure were severely compromised, leading to 32 fatalities and affecting an approximate 1.5 million. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the physical wreckage would be accompanied by profound and enduring psychological scars.
“Simple things can trigger them,” Ifill states. “An individual described a cart we often push through the passageways, whose clatter evoked memories of splintering trees and the fierce gales. She no longer wants to hearing that sound.”
Weeks after the hurricane, which also impacted parts of Cuba, flashbacks of the frightening storm continue to haunt some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of a downpour can now elicit trauma responses among survivors.
The Unseen Cost Amidst Economic Reconstruction
This disaster resulted in a massive aid package totaling billions of dollars over several years and an additional payment of millions from a pioneering risk financing tool. But, authorities note this economic assistance cannot cover the psychological cost: extensive emotional suffering—particularly among those previously affected from a previous disaster in 2024.
Whereas most attention centers on restoring buildings, academic work over the recent years indicate that the likelihood of PTSD rises significantly after hurricanes and displacement. Experts are now urging the inclusion of psychosocial services into disaster response plans across small island developing states.
Layered Struggles: Loss and Psychological Well-being
Academics stress how prolonged homelessness, vanishing incomes, and inadequate services exacerbate emotional distress. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper flagged a heightened danger of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after extreme weather. Additional analysis found similar anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people who survived tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has examined disaster survivors globally, notes that survivors could face a trio of mental health challenges: PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a lecturer in disaster studies, echoes this view. She notes that while humans are generally resilient, as the planet continues to warm, mental health is becoming an ever more critical issue—despite the fact that extensive research is often insufficient.
The researchers found that women affected showed higher mental distress than men. “This suggests women are more susceptible than males when disaster strikes,” Smith says.
The Difficult Journey to Psychological Repair
Dr. Heanoy notes that while some short-term recovery in well-being can happen within a year of the event, the ultimate prognosis can be unpredictable. The degree to which survivors heal is largely determined by the circumstances of their suffering and the support available.
The experts note that the destruction of property and resources can magnify the psychological burden to recover. Smith labels housing loss “a key traumatic factor,” notably when insurance or savings are lacking. “Starting again comes with its own emotional tax,” she adds.
Ifill witnesses the same pattern among her those seeking help: “Those who had pre-existing mental health challenges have noticed it’s far more intense in this time since the storm.”
In addition to the psychological impact, practical challenges remain. The hurricane destroyed key water infrastructure, delaying the reliable supply of water services. Monetary relief, while crucial, do not address all of the chronic vulnerabilities revealed by the storm.
Community Networks as a Essential Foundation
A key finding is that rebuilding alone does not address the emotional wounds caused by the loss of loved ones. Expert analysis consistently finds that survivors often find social networks to be more responsive than government assistance.
“The government’s role is essential,” Smith acknowledges. “In its absence, or when it is slow, local people provide mutual aid.”
Ifill also highlights the value of community solidarity in coping with disaster. She recalls being “moved by the sense of humour” among strong communities. “Your house is gone, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they find lightness about the storm.”
She further acknowledges initiatives to encourage emotional well-being after the disaster but cautions about the dangers of doomscrolling. “My advice was limiting social media, sticking to reliable news, and using messaging apps to maintain social support.”
An Expanding Regional Priority
In recent years, psychosocial care has garnered greater attention from global organizations due to the worsening climate emergency. The growing regularity of climate disasters has prompted the development of frameworks for trauma support.
Major health organizations have released detailed resources to help responders in delivering psychosocial support in the aftermath of catastrophes. These initiatives aim to build community and personal strength by building capacity, combating stigma, and encouraging the use of mental health services.
Economic resources are also highlighted as crucial for safeguarding mental health. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost all his crops in a previous flood, stresses the despair that arises when promised compensation is not delivered. “Assessments were made... But to this date, we did not receive compensation,” he says.
An Appeal for Comprehensive Healing
Leaders observe that the Caribbean region accounts for a tiny fraction of planetary pollution yet bears disastrous climate impacts. A swift, well-funded recovery is deemed critical to prevent enduring trauma.
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