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 catastrophic damage. Dwellings, hospitals, and vital systems were destroyed, resulting in 32 deaths and affecting an estimated 1.5 million. For therapist Toni-Jan Ifill, it was obvious from the start that the physical wreckage would be paired with profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Commonplace things can trigger them,” Ifill notes. “One woman mentioned a trolley we often push through the corridors, whose sound evoked memories of cracking branches and the roaring storm. She now refuses to listening to that sound.”
Weeks after the hurricane, which also impacted parts of Cuba, recollections of the frightening storm continue to trouble some staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Simply the noise of a downpour can now prompt stress reactions among individuals who endured it.
The Hidden Toll Alongside Economic Reconstruction
The catastrophic event triggered a significant financial package worth up to up to $6.7bn over a three-year period and an further payment of millions from a innovative disaster insurance instrument. However, authorities note this economic assistance cannot cover the invisible cost: widespread trauma—particularly among those still recovering from Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
Whereas the primary focus centers on rebuilding infrastructure, studies over the recent years demonstrate that the risk of PTSD grows substantially after climate disasters and displacement. Mental health professionals are now calling for the incorporation of mental health support into disaster response plans across Caribbean nations.
Compounded Vulnerabilities: Loss and Psychological Well-being
Scholars emphasize how long-term dislocation, vanishing incomes, and poor access to care exacerbate mental health risks. A 2023 Caribbean-focused paper identified a significant risk of anxiety, depression, and PTSD after extreme weather. Further research recorded similar psychological turmoil among people affected by other hurricanes.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a expert who has analyzed disaster survivors globally, notes that survivors typically experience several key emotional obstacles: PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a professor in risk reduction, agrees. She points out that while people are often tough, as the frequency of disasters increases, psychological well-being is becoming an ever more critical issue—despite the fact that extensive research is often insufficient.
These experts found that women affected reported higher mental distress than male counterparts. “So it’s quite possible women are more psychologically vulnerable than males when disaster strikes,” Smith says.
The Difficult Journey to Recovery
Dr. Heanoy says that while some initial improvement in psychological state may occur within a twelve-month period, long-term outcomes remain uncertain. The degree to which survivors bounce back hinges on the specific triggers and the resources accessible.
The experts see that the destruction of property and livelihoods can magnify the emotional challenge to recover. Smith labels housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” especially when people have no economic cushion. “Reconstruction comes with its own psychological weight,” she says.
Ifill witnesses the same pattern among her patients: “Those who had previous psychological issues have noticed it’s much more severe in this time since the storm.”
Beyond the emotional toll, physical challenges remain. The hurricane destroyed vital water infrastructure, slowing the full return of potable water. Financial aid, while helpful, cannot resolve the chronic vulnerabilities exposed by the storm.
Social Cohesion as a Essential Lifeline
Perhaps most importantly is that physical reconstruction by itself fails to mend the psychological injuries caused by life-altering injuries. Research consistently finds that survivors commonly experience community support to be more responsive than government assistance.
“Official action is important,” Smith acknowledges. “When it is lacking, or when it is delayed, communities support one another.”
Ifill also highlights the power of mutual support in coping with disaster. She says she was “impressed by the sense of humour” among tight-knit groups. “Everything is destroyed, right? But if a community has a positive outlook, they share laughter about the storm.”
Additionally, she acknowledges initiatives to support psychological self-care after the disaster but cautions about the negative effects of constant exposure to traumatic media. “The guidance included limiting social media, sticking to reliable news, and turning to apps to stay in touch with loved ones.”
A Growing International Focus
Recently, psychological support has become a higher priority from global organizations due to the worsening climate crisis. The growing regularity of extreme weather has led to the development of guidelines for psychological first aid.
Regional institutions have released comprehensive manuals to train aid personnel in offering psychological care in the aftermath of catastrophes. These efforts aim to foster individual and social resilience by training professionals, reducing shame, and promoting the seeking of professional help.
Financial aid are also highlighted as fundamental for protecting emotional well-being. A producer from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, stresses the hopelessness that arises when promised compensation fails to materialize. “Officials visited... But to this date, we did not receive compensation,” he recounts.
A Plea for Comprehensive Recovery
Experts note that the Caribbean region accounts for a very small fraction of worldwide greenhouse gases yet suffers disproportionate climate impacts. A timely and comprehensive reconstruction is deemed essential to prevent enduring trauma.
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