Promoting Integrated Mental Health Care Services in Disaster Response Programs: Lessons Learned After the Impact of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Meteorological and even human-made disasters are increasing every year in frequency and magnitude. The passage of a disaster affects a society without distinction, but groups with social vulnerability (low socioeconomic status, chronic medical, or psychological conditions, limited access to resources) face the most significant impact. As a result, psychological and behavioral symptoms (eg, depression and anxiety) can ensue, making the immediate response of mental health services crucial. Secondary data from a database of a temporary healthcare unit were analyzed. A total of 54 records were reviewed to collect information; univariate and bivariate analyses were done. The purpose of this article is to present our experience regarding the incorporation of a mental health services model, with its respective benefits and challenges, into a temporary healthcare unit, after Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Association between adverse experiences during Hurricane María and mental and emotional distress among adults in Puerto Rico

“…This evidence is particularly relevant to residents of PR, which are an ethnic minority with a high poverty rate in the United States. A few studies have documented a high prevalence of poor mental health outcomes among adults in PR post-María (e.g., 33% depression, 27% anxiety, and 44% PTSD) [ 12 , 13 ], but these studies did not evaluate the specific hurricane-related exposures that may have contributed to mental health outcomes. Only one study has evaluated this association in PR among children, finding a positive association between exposure to hurricane stressors (i.e., injuries, death of family/friends, damages to house and belongings, food/water shortages, violence, and unrestored electricity) and depression and PTSD scores [ 14 ]; these relationships among adults, however, remain to be determined.…”