Examining Hurricane Ida’s Impact on Mental Health: Results from a
Quasi-Experimental Analysis
Abstract
Limited research has evaluated the mental health effects of compounding
disasters (e.g., hurricanes followed by a heat wave), and few studies
have relied on crisis lines for post-disaster mental health
surveillance. This study examined changes in crisis help-seeking for
individuals in Louisiana, USA, before and after Hurricane Ida (2021), a
storm that co-occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent
hurricane, and corresponding heatwave. An interrupted time series
analysis for a single and multiple group comparisons were used to
examine pre-and post- changes in crisis text volume (any crisis text,
substance use, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety and bereavement)
among help-seeking individuals in communities that received individual
and public assistance disaster declarations. Results showed a
significant increase in crisis texts for any reason, thoughts of
suicide, stress/anxiety, and bereavement in the short-term impact
period. In the continued impact period, there was an increase in crisis
texts for any crisis event, substance use, thoughts of suicide,
stress/anxiety, and bereavement. Findings highlight the need for more
mental health support for residents directly impacted by concurrent
disasters.