Mental health support during disasters: why it matters and how to support recovery

As Canadians, we’re no stranger to natural disasters. We’ve seen wildfires, hurricanes and massive flooding displace communities, destroy homes and business and uproot normalcy.

When a disaster strikes, the first images that often come to mind are physical: collapsed buildings, flooded homes, empty shelves and disrupted infrastructure.

Yet behind every headline is a quieter, deeply human story. Emotional strain. Grief and loss. Fear of the unknown. And, the ultimate test of human strength in the midst of difficulty.

For millions of people facing natural disasters and humanitarian crises, mental health is often overshadowed by urgent physical needs like food, shelter and protection. These things are essential during disaster relief, but World Vision Canada ’s work seeks to be far more holistic—meeting physical needs and emotional needs during a disaster.

During Mental Health Month, we’ll take some time to remember that prioritizing mental health support during disasters and crises is essential to helping individuals, families and communities truly recover and face the future with hope.

How do natural disasters affect mental health?

Disasters, like flooding or an earthquake, disrupt nearly every aspect of daily life.

Families are separated. Businesses and livelihoods are wiped out. Entire communities are uprooted overnight. This instability directly affects emotional and psychological well-being.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly everyone affected by emergencies experiences psychological distress, even if symptoms improve over time.

This distress can arise from several factors:

• Loss of loved ones, homes and treasured belongings
• Physical injury or exposure to danger
• Displacement and uncertainty about the future
• Breakdown of community and social support systems

Research consistently shows that disasters trigger a wide range of emotional responses. Fear, anxiety, grief and anger to name but a few.

While these reactions are normal, prolonged exposure to trauma may lead to more serious conditions. Studies note that the mental health effects of disasters can be both immediate and long-term, sometimes persisting years after the event.

The scale of mental health support needed during crises

The emotional impact of disasters isn't isolated to a few survivors. Hundreds—even thousands—of people could experience mental health challenges because of a disaster or crisis. Whether they have lost a loved one, witnessed brutal violence or fled their homes in fear and uncertainty, it can cause severe trauma.

While disasters can strike in any part of the world, low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by mental health issues during crises because of pre-existing factors like severe poverty and weak infrastructure.

• Around 15 to 38 per cent of people experience mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after natural disasters.
• A meta-analysis found that over one fifth of disaster-exposed populations develop PTSD.
• Global estimates show that about 22 per cent of people affected by conflict or crisis experience a mental health condition.
• Those living in low- to middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate-related disasters and also lack adequate mental health support systems.

Even individuals who don’t develop diagnosable conditions may face ongoing emotional distress, including sleep disorders, chronic stress and prolonged grief.

These realities highlight a critical truth: mental health issues are widespread during a natural disaster and need to be addressed.

Common mental health issues suffered during a natural disaster

Each person will have a unique emotional and mental response to natural disasters. That said, certain mental health challenges are especially common during and after crises. Let’s talk about them:

1. Post-traumatic stress disorder

PTSD is one of the most frequently documented conditions following disasters. People experience symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety. Research suggests PTSD can affect up to 26 per cent of individuals in developing countries within the first months after a disaster.

2. Depression and anxiety

Many survivors experience persistent sadness, hopelessness or excessive worry. WHO-supported research indicates that around 28 per cent develop depressive symptoms and 23 per cent experience anxiety following disasters.

3. Grief and loss

Grief may stem from losing loved ones, homes or a sense of stability. In large-scale disasters, entire communities may share a collective sense of mourning.

4. Substance use and coping challenges

Increased stress can lead some individuals to harmful coping mechanisms, including substance use.

5. Long-term emotional distress

For some, emotional impacts persist or resurface years later. Studies show that mental health burdens can remain elevated long after recovery efforts begin.

Children are especially vulnerable

In a critical time of emotional, social and cognitive development, children often experience disasters more intensely. Children ought to be shielded from the world’s darkest moments of pain and grief. But, when children experience a disaster, there’s little that can protect them from the psychological and emotional effects.

• Children may struggle to understand what is happening, feel unsafe or lose access to essential routines like education.

• Children and adolescents often have higher rates of anxiety and depression following disasters, both immediately and years afterward.
• Nearly one in five children worldwide lives in or is fleeing conflict settings, increasing their exposure to trauma.

Without proper mental health support during crisis, these experiences can shape a child’s emotional development, relationships and long-term well-being.

What is disaster mental health support?

Disaster mental health support refers to services and interventions designed to protect and improve emotional and psychological well-being during and after crises.

The WHO emphasizes that effective support includes a range of approaches, such as:

• Psychological first aid (PFA)
• Community-based support systems
• Access to clinical mental health care when needed
• Public communication and information sharing

In most cases, people don't require specialized psychiatric care. Rather, early, compassionate, community-focused support is often the most effective first step.

Mental health support during disasters and crises: what’s working

Evidence-based approaches to mental health support during disasters and crises focus on restoring safety, connection and dignity.

1. Immediate emotional support

Providing reassurance, listening without judgment and helping individuals feel safe are critical in the early stages of mental health support during disasters and crises.

2. Community-based care

Strengthening community networks allows people to support one another, which is essential in cultures where collective resilience plays a major role.

3. Access to services

Ensuring access to mental health services is vital, especially in low-income or disrupted environments. Emergencies often weaken health systems, making it a challenge.

4. Long-term follow-up

Mental health recovery doesn’t end when the emergency phase does. Continued support helps identify individuals who may develop longer-term conditions.

5. Child-focused interventions

Safe spaces, structured activities and school reintegration are key to helping children cope and recover.

The hidden barriers to mental health support

Despite the clear need, many people affected by disasters never receive adequate mental health support. Common barriers include:

• Limited availability of trained professionals
• Stigma surrounding mental health means issues go unreported or undiagnosed
• Lack of awareness about available services
• Disrupted healthcare systems during emergencies

In many settings, mental health services are already under-resourced and emergencies can put a strain on access to care.

This makes integrated, scalable approaches to disaster mental health support more important than ever.

Where do we go from here?

Recovery after a disaster is more than just restoring what was lost. We must work together to support the rebuilding of lives with dignity, connection and hope. Supporting mental health is a key part of that journey.

By investing in mental health support, we can:

• Reduce long-term suffering
• Strengthen community resilience
• Help children and families heal and rebuild
• Break cycles of trauma exacerbated by disasters

How World Vision Canada offers mental health support in disasters and crises

When we talk about recovery, we’re not just talking about restoring homes or infrastructure. We’re talking about helping people feel safe again. Helping children rediscover joy. Helping families regain a sense of normalcy and hope.

While the first 72 hours of disaster relief are critical, World Vision Canada continues essential support for families and children in the weeks and months after a disaster strikes. Through our humanitarian response efforts, we provide holistic care that includes:

• Safe spaces for children to play, learn and process emotions
• Psychosocial support integrated into education and child protection programs
• Support for families as they rebuild stability and connection
• Community-based approaches that strengthen livelihood resilience and disaster reduction

Read this article to explore more about our unique approach to mental health support during emergency responses.

You can share hope when disaster strikes

Behind each statistic is a real child, family or community navigating unimaginable challenges. In these disasters, mental health support should not be a luxury but a necessity.

With Canadians’ generous donations, you help deliver swift, life-saving assistance to areas affected by disasters like flooding, earthquakes, typhoons and more. More than that, your support goes beyond immediate survival—it addresses mental health support during disasters and crises and building disaster resilience.

One of the best ways to help is through our emergency response donation during a natural disaster. You can also partner with us on a monthly basis to help us respond to urgent needs that arise for vulnerable children.

Give a gift that lays the foundation for families and children to rebuild their lives and rediscover hope in every way—physically, emotionally, mentally and socially.