Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge
Cyclone
Ditwah has resulted in a tragic toll, with 465 confirmed fatalities and around
366 individuals still unaccounted for. Some estimates suggest that the actual
numbers may be even higher. The disaster has displaced over 61,000 families,
who are currently seeking refuge in emergency shelters. In total, more than 1.5
million people across all 25 districts of the country have been impacted by
this devastating event.
Natural disasters
are significant adverse events caused by natural processes of the Earth, often
leading to loss of life, psychological trauma, and widespread property damage (Saeed
& Gargano, 2022). The recent cyclones and flood-related disasters in
Sri Lanka have profound and lasting psychosocial impacts on affected
populations, driven by immediate trauma and secondary stressors like
displacement and economic hardship. These impacts are seen at individual,
family, and community levels. Individuals may struggle with feelings of grief,
anxiety, and helplessness, while families often experience disruptions in their
social structures and support networks. At the community level, collective
trauma can weaken social cohesion, increasing tensions.
Sri Lankan society is still
dealing with the aftermath of a 30-year civil war, and the devastating natural
disaster, Cyclone Ditwah, is likely to intensify these challenges. The
resulting crisis is one of the worst natural disasters the country has faced
since the 2004 tsunami. The disaster in 2025 is predicted to cause severe
psychosocial repercussions for vulnerable communities.
As described by
Christodoulou (2024), disasters—whether natural or human-made—place significant
stress on the mental health of individuals, communities, and entire
societies. Therefore, implementing effective, evidence-based interventions
is vital for fostering a sense of safety, hope, and optimism among those
affected. These strategies also help strengthen social bonds, supporting
individuals as they navigate their difficulties.
The 2025 Cyclones
and flood-related disasters in Sri Lanka led to various serious mental health
issues in the affected population, including trauma-related disorders, mood
disturbances, and social upheaval. After natural disasters, people in impacted
areas are at increased risk of developing mental health conditions such as
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression (Crombach & Siehl,
2018). Addressing these mental health challenges in Sri Lanka requires an
integrated, culturally sensitive approach that combines immediate practical
support with long-term, professional, and community-driven interventions.
Addressing the
psychosocial needs of those affected by cyclones and flood-related disasters
calls for a professional and structured approach. In such emergencies, a
community mental health strategy is especially important. This approach allows
peripheral mental health workers to act as mediators between survivors and specialized
mental health services, helping to remove treatment barriers (Davidson &
McFarlane, 2006).
Psychological
First Aid (PFA) is recommended as an immediate response and is delivered by
non-specialists such as neighbours, volunteers, and first responders. This
approach underscores the importance of providing practical aid—like food,
water, and shelter—while respecting the dignity of survivors. It also focuses
on ensuring safety and comfort, listening attentively without pressuring
individuals to discuss traumatic experiences, and helping connect them with
loved ones and support networks. Ensuring access to support is essential for
effective recovery after a disaster (Güngörmüş & Özgüç, 2025).
Furthermore,
timely and accurate information about relief efforts can help reduce anxiety
and uncertainty. Beyond immediate aid, it is crucial to address basic needs and
implement psychotherapeutic interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR),
mindfulness practices, and traditional healing methods.
Human resilience
is a unique trait enabling individuals to adapt and flourish despite adversity.
Bakic and colleagues (2021) suggest that disaster-affected individuals can
utilise their personal, social, and community resources to recover and adapt.
In the context of the 2025 disaster, although it will undoubtedly present
significant challenges, it also has the potential to unify communities, test
resilience, and drive recovery efforts. Additionally, it offers a vital
opportunity to learn important lessons about environmental conservation and the
need for sustainable planning practices.
References;
Bakic H, Ajdukovic D. Resilience after natural
disasters: the process of harnessing resources in communities differentially
exposed to a flood. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2021 Mar 18;12(1):1891733. doi:
10.1080/20008198.2021.1891733. PMID: 34992751; PMCID: PMC8725694.
Christodoulou N. Disaster Psychiatry: An urgent
field in psychiatry posing a pertinent question. Psychiatriki. 2024 Dec
27;35(4):265-268. English, Greek, Modern. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2024.022. Epub
2024 Dec 15. PMID: 39688605.
Crombach A, Siehl S. Impact and cultural
acceptance of the Narrative Exposure Therapy in the aftermath of a natural
disaster in Burundi. BMC Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 18;18(1):233. doi:
10.1186/s12888-018-1799-3. PMID: 30021559; PMCID: PMC6052646.
Davidson JR, McFarlane AC. The extent and impact
of mental health problems after disaster. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;67 Suppl
2:9-14. PMID: 16602810.
Güngörmüş Z, Özgüç S. Psychosocial problems
observed in older adults after disaster. Psychogeriatrics. 2025 Mar;25(2):e70001.
doi: 10.1111/psyg.70001. PMID: 39853583.
Saeed SA, Gargano SP. Natural disasters and
mental health. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2022 Feb;34(1):16-25. doi:
10.1080/09540261.2022.2037524. Epub 2022 Feb 15. PMID: 35584023.
