Assessing the Mental Health Impacts of Climate-Related Disasters

Abstract

The present investigation examines the multiple pathways by which climate-induced disasters undermine mental health. Researchers expect to catalogue survivor reports of anxiety, depression, acute distress, and post-traumatic stress disorder over time and across demographic lines. An extensive literature review, together with a forthcoming mixed-methods field study, will juxtapose the immediate shock of an event with its protracted psychiatric imprint. Preliminary data indicate that hurricanes, floods, and wildfires elevate mood-disorder rates well above pre-event baselines, with low-income districts absorbing the heaviest tolls. Proponents maintain that the evidence underscores the necessity of embedding psychological support in every phase of disaster planning, thereby fortifying community resilience and informing more effective climate-adaptation policy.