Adolescent Mental Health And Natural Disasters
Natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes can take a significant toll on the mental health of anyone who experiences them. However, research suggests that adolescents may be particularly affected. With climate change-related extreme weather events on the rise, there is an increasing need to address existing anxiety and prevent mental health challenges related to natural disasters among the public—especially among young people. Below, we’ll discuss adolescent mental health in the context of natural disasters.
The link between adolescent mental health and natural disasters, according to research
Research suggests that natural disasters are having a significant effect on the mental health of adolescents around the United States. For example, one study on natural disasters and adolescent mental health explored data involving more than 38,000 high school students across 22 urban school districts in the US.
Over the course of 10 years, there were three natural disaster events but 64 “disaster days,” a term that refers to the number of days that an area was under a disaster declaration. The study’s authors state that their results suggest that “adolescents with exposure to prolonged disasters had higher odds of mental distress.” They report that “the odds of mental distress were approximately 20% higher for adolescents exposed to upwards of 44 disaster days over a 2-year period and 62 disaster days over a 5-year period.”
Note, however, that researchers in this study didn’t detect that the adolescents they studied were still experiencing related mental health impacts after the 10-year mark. This may be related to what’s called a dose-response pattern, which is related to the recency of the event affecting mental health. However, this is not always how it works.
There isn’t yet much research on adolescent psychological distress long after a natural disaster, except for one with Hurricane Katrina survivors. This study explored the relationship between cumulative natural disaster exposure and mental health effects and suggests that adolescents were still affected 13 years after the disaster. This study provides evidence that cumulative exposure to natural disasters may affect adolescent mental health even years later, which points to the urgent need for adequate mental health care before, during, and after such events.
Why do natural disasters affect the mental health of adolescents and children so significantly?
While researchers in the above study didn’t explore the mechanism whereby natural disasters affect adolescent mental health, it may be related to fear experienced during the event and any injuries or deaths witnessed along with interruptions in school activity and availability of social services afterward. Also, parents can experience significant stress as they worry about family safety, missing work, and providing for their children. Caregiver mental health challenges may affect adolescent children.
The relevance of this research for child and public health services
Knowledge of the impact of natural disasters on the mental health of children and adolescents may help inform the responses of public health and childcare programs to natural disasters. For example, areas experiencing a natural disaster might plan to bring in additional child health professionals after the disaster has occurred. Also, public officials and schools might focus on preventive care by teaching adolescents evidence-based strategies to reduce stress and build resilience.
Also, communities can often plan ahead of storms, especially hurricanes, to provide support for parents before and after a disaster. For example, building systems to provide essential food and emergency shelter and bringing in additional mental health professionals to help children and parents alike in the aftermath could be useful programs.
Signs of mental health challenges in adolescents
Natural disasters and other potentially traumatic events can affect children and adolescents in various ways. Some may develop a diagnosable disorder, while others may experience non-clinical psychological distress that may still need to be addressed.
- Having trouble concentrating
- Suddenly sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Having frequent or recurring nightmares about the natural disaster experienced
- Showing significant changes in appetite
- Experiencing excessive worry
- Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Being irritable or having angry outbursts
- Experiencing mood swings
- Engaging in or talking about self-harming behavior like cutting or hair-pulling
If you notice symptoms like these or other concerning behaviors in your child, it's recommended that you seek mental health support for them. These may be signs of a diagnosable mental health condition, which often won't resolve without professional support.
Mental health support for post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health challenges
Adults and adolescents both may benefit from speaking with a licensed mental health professional following a disaster. A specialist in adolescent mental health may be able to treat any possible symptoms of a mental health disorder like anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD doesn’t always happen right away, and predicting posttraumatic stress symptoms may not always be possible. However, treatment may help reduce the duration or severity of adverse mental health outcomes after a disaster.
Online mental health care after a natural disaster
After a natural disaster, some people may have difficulty commuting to a therapist’s office, and therapists themselves may not be able to commute to work. In these cases, it may be easier and faster to connect with a licensed therapist online. Parents can help their adolescent children find an online therapist through TeenCounseling. This site serves young people between the ages of 13 and 19 and allows them to discuss their mental health symptoms with a therapist remotely via audio, video calls, or live chat.
Also, parents and other adults can find online mental health support through a platform like BetterHelp. With BetterHelp, individuals can schedule online sessions at times that suit their busy schedule. BetterHelp has more than 30,000 licensed therapists all over the country, so even during or after a natural disaster, there are often virtual providers who can help.
Does online therapy work for treating mental health challenges?
A number of peer-reviewed studies have researched online therapy, and their findings suggest that it can be effective for treating several types of mental health disorders in many cases. For instance, one meta-analysis published in 2021 indicates that online therapy can be an effective method for treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder and improving mental health outcomes in general, and that many find it to be more convenient than in-person therapy as well.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Below are some common questions related to adolescent mental health and natural disasters.
How do natural disasters affect mental health?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, the “mental health consequences of single disasters for most people include mild stress and insomnia, high-risk coping behavior such as increased alcohol use, and mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.” There is help available for those experiencing these or other effects.
Adolescent mental health and natural disasters: How can natural disasters affect a child or adolescent?
The American Psychiatric Association explains how a natural disaster can affect a child’s mental health: “Disruptions in routine, separation from caregivers as a result of evacuations or displacement, and parental stress after a disaster all contribute to children’s distress.” Some children and adolescents are not necessarily displaced, depending on the disaster, but they may still experience anxiety and benefit from discussing their feelings with a mental health professional.
Is there public health support for adults and children experiencing traumatic stress after a natural disaster?
For individuals who are recovering from natural disasters, there are a number of public resources and helplines available. For example, for survivors of Hurricane Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides resources for mental health support.
How can parents support adolescents following a natural disaster?
Parents can support adolescents after a natural disaster by making time to listen to them. Adolescents may also require extra patience in the wake of a disaster that has affected their community. In addition, parents can search for a support group in person or online for adolescents experiencing anxiety after a natural disaster.
How can teachers and school staff support students after a disaster?
Teachers and staff might be able to help students by studying the effects of disaster media coverage on students. The media often focuses on the most sensational and graphic parts of the news after a disaster, and teachers might be able to help by teaching students about media literacy and coping mechanisms and focusing on less-covered content, such as rescue stories.
What behavioral health conditions in children and youth result from being exposed to natural disasters?
Some of the potential mental health consequences of extreme weather events and other natural disasters include the following:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Substance use disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Aggression and an inability to manage anger
It’s also possible for children to develop physical health complaints, such as low energy, stomach pain, headaches, and dizziness, in response to psychological difficulties after a natural disaster.
A child experiencing psychological distress post-disaster, such as after severe storms, may benefit from working with a licensed mental health professional. A therapist may conduct evaluations like the Child and Youth Resilience Measure and screen for various mental health conditions before developing a treatment plan.
How is mental health affected by nature?
According to social and behavioral sciences, spending time in nature can be highly beneficial for mental health. It can reduce stress, increase happiness, and promote a sense of connectedness with the world around you. However, while nature is generally a positive influence on mental health, climate change is a global public health crisis often associated with adverse mental health effects. Global and community health initiatives, such as Brown University’s Population Studies Training Center, the New York University School of Public Health, and various national institutes, often focus on addressing climate change and its environmental justice implications, as well as disaster risk reduction.
How can we help children cope with natural disasters?
Helping children cope with natural disasters can be challenging, especially in the case of cumulative natural disaster exposure, which involves experiencing multiple disasters over time. The American Red Cross recommends acknowledging the child’s fears and perceptions, discussing preparedness measures, answering the child’s questions in an age-appropriate way, spending extra quality time with them, and implementing regular daily routines.
Why are youth vulnerable to disasters?
Child and adolescent disaster exposure can lead to mental health concerns. Young people tend to be particularly vulnerable to the mental health effects of disasters because they don’t always have the knowledge to fully understand what is happening. In addition, they typically have less experience managing stress, anxiety, and challenging emotions compared to adults. Because their brains are still developing, it can be more difficult for them to cope with strong emotions in a healthy way.
Aside from age, socioeconomic status and other factors can also impact a person’s vulnerability to disasters. Those of low socioeconomic status may face barriers to preparing for and effectively responding to disasters. A comprehensive data science initiative may reveal more information about risk factors for disaster vulnerability.
How can parents help children cope with frightening events and disasters?
Parents can help children cope with frightening events and disasters by fostering an open and age-appropriate dialogue with them. It may also be beneficial to develop a plan in the case another disaster occurs and ensure the children are familiar with the plan. Re-establishing regular routines after the frightening event can keep the family functioning and help children cope as well.
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