When the devastating cyclone made landfall on Jamaica on 28 October with 185-mile-per-hour winds, it resulted in a picture of widespread ruin. Residences, hospitals, and key utilities were leveled, leading to 32 fatalities and impacting an estimated 1.5 million individuals. For mental health expert Toni-Jan Ifill, it was instantly apparent that the tangible destruction would be paired with profound and persistent emotional wounds.
“Everyday sounds can activate them,” Ifill notes. “One woman described a cart we often push through the corridors, whose clatter evoked memories of cracking branches and the roaring storm. She now refuses to hearing that auditory reminder.”
Over six weeks after the hurricane, which also struck eastern Cuba, flashbacks of the frightening storm continue to affect a number of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. Even the sound of rain can now cause trauma responses among those who lived through it.
The Hidden Toll Amidst Billions in Damage
Hurricane Melissa led to a significant financial package valued at billions of dollars over several years and an further payment of $150 million from a groundbreaking risk financing tool. But, specialists caution this monetary aid fails to account for the invisible cost: widespread trauma—especially among those who had been recovering from another major storm in 2024.
Whereas the primary focus targets physical reconstruction, research over the last several years show that the risk of severe anxiety disorders increases significantly after climate disasters and displacement. Mental health professionals are now calling for the inclusion of mental health support into climate-disaster policy across small island developing states.
Compounded Vulnerabilities: Loss and Mental Health
Academics highlight how extended displacement, destroyed jobs, and inadequate services exacerbate mental health risks. A scholarly article warned of a clear threat of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after climate-related events. Another study documented parallel anxiety, fear, and emotional distress among people affected by tropical cyclones.
Dr. Eamin Heanoy, a researcher who has analyzed disaster survivors in multiple countries, notes that survivors typically experience a trio of emotional obstacles: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith, a lecturer in disaster studies, echoes this view. She observes that while humans are generally resilient, as the climate crisis worsens, emotional fallout is becoming an increasingly significant issue—despite the fact that comprehensive data is often insufficient.
These experts found that female survivors showed higher mental distress than male counterparts. “It indicates that women are more psychologically vulnerable than males during these events,” Smith explains.
The Uncertain Path to Healing
Dr. Heanoy states that while some short-term recovery in well-being can happen within a twelve-month period, the ultimate prognosis can be unpredictable. The likelihood to which survivors bounce back is largely determined by the nature of the trauma and the care they receive.
The experts see that the destruction of property and possessions can intensify the mental struggle to start over. Smith describes housing loss “one of the primary stressors,” notably when people have no economic cushion. “Rebuilding comes with its own psychological weight,” she adds.
Ifill sees the identical trend among her those seeking help: “Individuals who had pre-existing mental health challenges have found it’s far more intense in this short period of time.”
In addition to the psychological damage, practical issues persist. The hurricane severely damaged key water infrastructure, hampering the complete restoration of potable water. Insurance payouts, while helpful, are insufficient to fix the deep-seated infrastructure problems laid bare by the storm.
Social Support as a Vital Lifeline
A key finding is that rebuilding alone fails to mend the deep sorrow caused by permanent disabilities. Studies indicates that survivors commonly experience community support to be more immediate than government assistance.
“The government’s role is important,” Smith acknowledges. “If it fails to materialize, or when it is delayed, communities support one another.”
Ifill also highlights the strength of community solidarity in overcoming challenges. She recalls being “impressed by the resilient spirit” among resilient populations. “You've lost everything, right? But if a community has more jovial people, they make jokes about the storm.”
Ifill also acknowledges steps to encourage mental health awareness after the disaster but advises about the dangers of doomscrolling. “I recommended limiting social media, following official updates, and using messaging apps to maintain social support.”
An Expanding Global Recognition
Over the past decade, psychological support has garnered greater attention from world bodies due to the escalating climate emergency. The growing regularity of extreme weather has led to the development of frameworks for psychological first aid.
International bodies have developed practical guides to train field workers in delivering psychosocial support in the aftermath of traumatic events. These efforts aim to build individual and social resilience by building capacity, promoting openness, and facilitating the use of mental health services.
Economic resources are also underlined as crucial for protecting mental health. A agricultural worker from another Caribbean nation, who lost everything in a past disaster, stresses the despair that arises when official support never arrives. “Officials visited... But up to this day, we never got any payment,” he says.
A Call for Comprehensive Rebuilding
Experts argue that the Caribbean region contributes a very small fraction of planetary pollution yet suffers disproportionate climate impacts. A swift, well-funded recovery is deemed essential to avoid prolonged suffering.
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