Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Disaster Response

Mental health is a crucial aspect of disaster response and emergency management, as individuals and communities can experience significant psychological distress and trauma during and after such events. Hazards, whether natural (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods) or man-made (such as industrial accidents or mass shootings), can have profound impacts on well-being mentality of those affected.

My study, recently published in the International Journal on Disaster Risk Reduction, shows that emergency preparedness plans should find ways to expand mental health services throughout the short- and long-term disaster recovery phase. Unfortunately, the ongoing shortage of mental health professionals, combined with increasingly extreme weather events, poses enormous challenges to increasing the support disaster survivors need.

Additionally, my study sheds additional light on the differences between women and men suffering from depression and anxiety. Numerous studies reveal that women are considerably more susceptible to stressful situations than men. Since the beginning of the 21st century, research has defined the most vulnerable populations. Since then, it has been consistently found that women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression.

This is partly due to hormonal changes, but these do not fully explain more severe depression. Other biological factors, inherited traits, and personal circumstances and experiences are associated with a higher risk of emotional problems, including inequality of status and power, work overload, and sexual harassment.

I also found a statistically significant difference in depression and anxiety levels based on gender, with men showing lower scores than women. Likewise, I found that men were 60% less likely to develop anxiety than women.

Of additional interest is the fact that the interviewees come from different countries and cultures. Recent statistics estimate that 264 million people are affected by depression, representing 10% of all non-fatal illnesses worldwide. Additionally, women and girls suffer significantly more from depression than men and boys. This gender difference represents a significant health gap.

Other key points to consider

Disasters disrupt a person’s state of normalcy, including daily routines, activities of daily living, employment, transportation, housing, and social relationships. Disasters can have serious consequences on the mental health of individuals and their communities as a whole. There is no doubt that seeing homes destroyed and urban infrastructure in ruins in the immediate aftermath of a disaster would be devastating.

However, it’s a year to 18 months after a disaster that things really take a turn for the worse. Disasters don’t happen and then end; They are called “disasters” because they have significant and lasting consequences on people’s lives.

Immediate impact and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

• Shock and trauma: Witnessing or experiencing a disaster can result in shock and trauma. Individuals may experience feelings of fear, helplessness and confusion.
• Grief and Loss: Disasters often result in the loss of loved ones, homes and possessions. Grieving these losses is a natural part of the recovery process.
• Occupational Stress: Emergency responders often face high levels of stress, trauma, and exposure to life-threatening situations, leading to an increased risk of mental health problems.
• Long-term effects: Some people may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, characterized by persistent, intrusive memories, nightmares, and anxiety related to the traumatic event.
• Delayed onset: PTSD symptoms may not appear immediately; they can surface weeks, months, or even years after the event.

Impact at the community level and vulnerable populations:

• Collective trauma: Communities as a whole can experience collective trauma, leading to a shared sense of grief, loss and vulnerability.
• Social disruption: Disasters can disrupt social networks, community structures and support systems, contributing to increased stress and mental health problems.
• Children and adolescents: Younger people may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological impact of disasters. They may experience symptoms such as nightmares, separation anxiety, and regression.
• Older adults: Older adults may face challenges related to physical health, isolation, and loss of familiar environments.

Psychosocial support and long-term mental health planning:

• Stigma: There may be stigma associated with seeking mental health support, which may prevent individuals from seeking help.
• Crisis Counseling: Providing immediate and ongoing mental health support is crucial. Crisis advisory services can be essential in the early stages of disaster recovery.
• Community Resilience Programs: Building community resilience through education, training, and mental health awareness can improve capacity to cope with future disasters. Explore how communities can improve their resilience through effective preparedness strategies. This includes educational programs, simulation exercises and community exercises to better equip individuals to cope with the psychological impact of disasters.
• Recovery phases: Mental health considerations should be integrated into all phases of disaster management, including preparation, response, recovery and mitigation. Highlighting the importance of strong social support networks to foster resilience. Examining how communities can come together to provide emotional support and assistance during and after a disaster can have a significant impact on mental health outcomes.
• Preventative measures: Proactive mental health planning can help prevent long-term psychological consequences and improve the overall well-being of the community.

Conclusion

The greatest emotional consequences of a disaster usually occur not immediately afterward, but several months later. Unfortunately, this is often a time when mental health services may be unavailable or difficult to access, leaving victims with nowhere to turn for help. As a result, communities are experiencing worsening rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

Addressing mental health in the context of disaster and emergency management requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that considers the immediate and long-term psychological impact on individuals and communities. Building resilience, providing timely support, and reducing mental health stigma are crucial to promoting recovery and well-being after a disaster.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report the results of their published research articles. Visit this page for more information about ScienceX Dialog and how to get involved.

Dr. Amer Hamad Issa Abukhalaf is a postdoctoral fellow at the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience and a member of the Disaster, Trust and Social Change Research Lab. He researches risk management and security design with emphasis on natural hazards, the built environment, crisis management and emergency planning. Abukhalaf is also a civil engineer and structural designer in practice and has a master’s degree in executive management from Ashland University in Ohio. He is a member of the Risk Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division of the American Planning Association and a certified practitioner by the Project Management Institute. Additionally, Abukhalaf is a registered hurricane expert at the University of Florida and recipient of the University of Florida Outstanding Merit Award for 2021 and 2023. He is the author of 25 peer-reviewed published articles in top journals in related fields, including International Journal on Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster prevention and managementAnd Natural hazards.