Disasters affect more than those directly exposed. Families, social networks, and entire communities can experience distress, disruption, and a loss of security. Understanding these wider effects is essential to preparing mental health systems that address the needs of communities as well as individuals.
Presented at the PreAct Conference in New York City in June 2025, Dr. Lynn Delisi’s paper examines the role of mental health in disaster preparedness and public health planning. It argues that mental health should be integrated into disaster response planning from the outset, rather than addressed only after a crisis occurs.
The paper highlights how fear, perceptions of safety, social disruption, and mental health stigma shape the way communities experience and respond to disasters. These factors can affect individual well-being, erode trust, deepen social divisions, and complicate recovery.
A system-wide approach combines individual care with preventive measures that address the needs of entire populations. Clear communication, efforts to reduce stigma, and greater awareness of the psychological impact of disasters can help communities navigate uncertainty and maintain social cohesion. Achieving this requires coordination among public health systems, emergency responders, and the communities they serve.
For PreAct, research helps establish mental health as an essential part of disaster preparedness, informing approaches that support individuals while strengthening the resilience of entire communities.