By Alison Lynch
Intern, Disaster Accountability Project

(Alison graduated Mt. Holyoke College in 2010 and will start law school this Fall)

Disasters can drastically alter a person’s physical and mental well-being. When the general public initially hears about a disaster, be it natural or man-made, their first thoughts are likely about the lives lost and damage done. It’s unlikely that many stop to consider the role of mental health in relief efforts.

For example, Hurricane Katrina not only caused the death and injury of thousands and devastated the physical infrastructure of New Orleans and Gulf Coast region, it also impacted the mental health of the survivors.  A Tulane University study measuring the rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among 717 survivors of Katrina found that 38% could be diagnosed with PTSD, ten times the national average of 3.6%. Such a dramatic difference illustrates the great impact disasters can have on mental health.

The rate of PTSD among survivors serves as a dramatic example of post-disaster mental health issue, but it is far from the only one. Populations with mental health problems unrelated to the disaster are also often left to fend for themselves in the aftermath. People with illnesses that require regular medication or people who have been living in facilities equipped to handle their illnesses suffer from a lack of effective response and aid from organizations who do not see their care as an immediate priority or have poorly trained volunteers.

Given this high rate of mental illness following a disaster, it makes sense to consider these issues on a broader scale. Though not as well-publicized as other post-disaster recovery efforts, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and independent research teams have been studying the effects of disasters on the mental health of various populations. The results show a clear indication that there is work to be done. Agencies responding to disasters are often ill-equipped to handle populations with sudden onsets of mental illness, and subsequently, these cases go untreated.  Disasters of any kind create constraints on personal resilience, but for populations who suffer from mental illness, these constraints can be even more severe.

The Disaster Accountability Project is working hard to ensure that important research from the GAO and experts is utilized and given the attention it deserves. By tracking the implementation status of these policy recommendations, we will be able to get a better sense of where efforts stand, and what should be done to prepare for future disasters. Ultimately, in examining research and reports written on this issue, organizations responding to disasters should be able to be well-versed in crisis counseling, and distribution of medication and effective health care. Strict oversight and followup in these areas will help ensure that the next time a devastating disaster hits, more people will receive the care they need.