Hurricane Katrina and the Madrid Train Bombings

 Hurricane Katrina and the Madrid Train Bombings

The long term effects of disasters go far beyond the destruction of property, business and infrastructure. Research has long confirmed that factors such as loss of life, property and finances after a disaster have a massive impact on public health. Every day, it becomes clear that people affected by the event are subjected to mental health disorders as a result. Without proper means to address this situation, the victims can suffer long term illnesses such as heart failures and risk getting into addiction habits. Hurricane Katrina and the Madrid Train Bombings are examples of such disasters.

Hurricane Katrina in the august of 2005 tore through the Gulf Coast region of the US, destroying everything in its path. The hurricane left nearly two thousand people dead, and Thousands more sustained physical and health injuries. It displaced approximately 1.5 million people from their homes and left them disconnected from their social ties. It also destroyed social amenities such as schools and health centres, which affected education and healthcare. The aftermath of Katrina left communities vulnerable to psychological disorders, not only because of the stress of the storm but also because of the challenging circumstances they lived in before Katrina.

Research shows that huge phenomenon such hurricanes have immediate and long-term effects on the mental health of the victims and close relations. Hurricane Katrina is no exception. An assessment carried by the CDC on returning residents that same year revealed that over half of them would need mental health treatment. Amid all the chaos, people separated from their families, their homes were destroyed, they were physically hurt or saw others who were, and some saw dead people. The victims, as well as their families, displayed several symptoms such as depression, anxiety, behavioural problems and PTSD. Disasters like Katrina have strong relationships with disorders, tend to persist and are associated with other serious mental health consequences.

Immediately after a natural disaster, people often experience fear, anxiety, sadness or shock. These symptoms do not stop weeks or months after the disaster but may continue for years or a lifetime. After the flood, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded the Katrina Assistance Project, which helped to bring in more than 1000 licensed mental health professionals to assist in the affected areas. Studies show that few Katarina survivors with mental disorders received the necessary help they needed. Medicaid coverage played an essential role in ensuring the victims of the hurricane got access to healthcare but could only be accessed by those who could afford. The Affordable Care Act, however, plays an essential role in ensuring everyone can access medication. This allows victims to access healthcare at affordable rates, helping them deal with mental issues.

Terrorists mass casualty attacks have adverse effects on the victims and the community. Terrorist violence resulting in massacres are a common form of terrorist violence today. The Madrid train bombings of 2004 is one such event. On the morning of March 11, Madrid experienced a coordinated and almost simultaneous attack that saw ten bombs go off on four trains in Atocha Station at the city centre. The attacks left 191 people dead and nearly two thousand others injured. The attack was one of the biggest mass casualty of its kind in Europe. Investigations focused on al-Qaeda terrorists and a few days after; arrests were made.

Traumas caused by terrorist’s attacks affect victims differently than those caused by natural disasters. This is because terrorists have the intention to harm and spread terror. The attacks also have social, economic and political consequences that accumulate and endure over time. These reasons make it difficult for their victims to recover faster. Research conducted showed that the victims of the terror act displayed increased symptoms of PTSD and depression. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive thoughts about the event. Fear loomed for the next few months after the incident. Their friends and families also experienced mental health problems as a result of the attack. Given the intensity of the impact, the families and friends experienced panic attacks and depression. Women, in particular, were affected more than men. Studies show the importance of social support in reducing the levels of PTSD. Stressors are also inhibitors of progress for people who have gone through terrorist acts.

Immediate and long-term treatment plans for the victims

Rescue and support operations for the terror attack consisted of different professions such as psychologists, police and medical teams. After the attack, this multidisciplinary team works to help the victims out of the situation. A trauma center is set up to help victims, friend and families deal with the shock and stress of the situation. Long-term treatment plans may include following up on the patients’ health as they undergo treatments to support their trauma-focused psychological therapies. These therapies provide a means for the victims to cope with the situation, years after the attack.

Early disaster recovery efforts often focus on physically helping the victims but often fail to provide proper psychological help. The notion that mass traumas and experiences shave our mental health behavior is not new. Many people are resilient in the face of trauma, and psychological disorders in response to large scale disasters do not always reach epidemic levels. However, a certain proportion of the population will suffer psychologically after such events. It is therefore essential to learn from past events to make changes to the current health programs to help improve public mental health.