Forecast: Increasing Mental Health Consequences From Atlantic Hurricanes Throughout the 21st Century

Global environmental climate change is altering the behavior of hurricanes. Hurricane seasons are becoming more active, generating storms that are ever more damaging to coastal and island communities. Exposure to hurricane hazards and experiencing resultant losses and life changes can lead to new-onset mental disorders among previously healthy survivors and jeopardize the health of persons with preexisting mental illness. High rates of common mental disorders have been documented after recent hurricanes. As hurricanes become increasingly severe, health care systems may expect to see more mental illness related to these extreme storms. Psychiatrists and allied health professionals can play vital roles in several areas: educating and preparing current caseloads of patients for possible storm impacts; intervening with persons who develop new-onset disorders after storm exposure; providing consultation to public health and community preparedness leadership about the mental health consequences of hurricanes; participating actively in community emergency response; and championing the integration of psychiatry with climate science and advocacy.