Mental health challenges and experiences in displaced populations following Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Harvey: the need for more comprehensive interventions in temporary shelters

• Published in: Journal of epidemiology and community health (1979) Vol. 72; no. 10; pp. 867 - 870
• Main Authors: Taioli, Emanuela, Tuminello, Stephanie, Lieberman-Cribbin, Wil, Bevilacqua, Kristin, Schneider, Samantha, Guzman, Maria, Kerath, Samantha, Schwartz, Rebecca M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ 01-10-2018; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Anxiety; Disasters; Displaced persons; Epidemiology; Essay; Ethnicity; Evacuations & rescues; Hurricanes; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mental health care; Post traumatic stress disorder; Public health; Shelters; New York; United States > US; environmental epidemiology; mental health; disaster relief
• ISSN: 0143-005X; 1470-2738
• DOI: 10.1136/jech-2018-210626

Hurricane exposure can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to increased symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder that are still present years after the storm. Those displaced following a hurricane are particularly vulnerable to adverse mental health outcomes, especially if displaced to temporary shelters. The current work highlights the experiences and mental health challenges of displaced populations following Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Harvey, as well as describing barriers to conducting research in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the need for more comprehensive interventions in these vulnerable populations.