What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

The Psychological Impact of Hurricane Katrina

  Gloria Morrow, Ph.D.

 [Portions of this article were printed in Inland Valley News, September 8, 2005 edition]

     UPLAND – I am among the millions of television viewers who continue to be captivated by the horrific effects of Hurricane Katrina on the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.   At times, I can not help but to wipe tears from my eyes as the cameras highlight the devastation.  But nothing can compare to the grief and sorrow in the eyes of the residents of the once thriving city we knew as New Orleans.  The impact of this national tragedy has been experienced on so many levels, and this monumental event has changed the lives of all of us forever.  However, no one can dispute the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Black folk of New Orleans.

In thinking about writing this article, I could have devoted careful time and attention to the shameful manner in which the elected officials of these United States of America responded to this crisis.  As a cultural competency trainer and facilitator, I could have shared my thoughts about U.S. citizens repeatedly being referred to as refugees by the media, or the Red Cross’ announcement that the debit cards issued to evacuees contain a notice on the back warning them to refrain from purchasing guns, alcohol, or drugs with funds provided, reflecting the continual cultural errors that are committed against people of color and the poor.  Furthermore, I could have focused on the media’s preoccupation with a few looters and misguided individuals when there were thousands of law abiding folk who slept on the streets with no food, water, or shelter for days; yet found the strength to help others to escape or simply try to make someone else feel more comfortable.    I could have even talked about the extreme poverty in New Orleans before the tragedy happened, making a mandatory evacuation virtually impossible for those with no automobiles, gas, or money.  However, I thought it more useful to focus on the psychological impact of Katrina, as I asked myself this question, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?  

From a psychological perspective, one can be well assured that Black people are resilient, and have overcome some of the worse atrocities ever known to man.  After all, a large percentage of those affected by this disaster lived below the poverty line with very few resources to work with in the first place.  However, it is important to acknowledge that in a crisis of this nature it is inevitable that the overall quality of life for the survivors, their families and friends has been impacted in negative ways.  One can be certain that there are many people who are at-risk of suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological disorders simply because of the magnitude of this tragedy.  Furthermore, those who were already suffering from psychological distress may be even more vulnerable at this time. 

The government has stepped in to send the survivors to safety, but separation from families, familiar surroundings, and resources, may severely jeopardize their psychological well-being.  For example, the Black church serves as a great source of strength for our people, and separation from their familiar places of worship may be difficult to take, especially for some of the elderly.  In fact, when Oprah visited the Astro Dome in Houston, I heard one of the evacuees shout out “Where are the ministers?  Please bring in the ministers.” If people are unable to hear a message of hope from their pastors or connect to their spiritual roots, they may be even more at risk of experiencing physical distress.  

So, even if housing is made available, with food and shelter, a sense of sadness, fear, and hopelessness may have a powerful impact on our brothers and sisters if we do not attend to their spiritual and psychological needs.

Signs of Psychological Distress

While in survival mode, individuals tend to be able to accomplish the task of keeping it together.  However, it is anticipated that survivors may experience changes in behavior (e.g., eating, sleeping) and mood (e.g., sadness, irritability, anger), inability to focus, and lack of energy.  Children who have been affected by Katrina may exhibit signs of aggression or acting out behaviors which may be symptomatic of depression.  It is important to note, that preoccupation with watching the news reports of the situation repeatedly may also contribute to some of the same signs and symptoms for those who are merely observers of the tragedy.  When children see the same traumatic images over and over again, they tend to believe that the tragedy is happening over and over again. I have personally spoken to other mental health professionals across the country that are experiencing bouts of depression themselves because of their attempts to stay connected to the crisis through the media.  So if the bombardment of the despair and devastation presented in the media has been difficult to handle for those who are trained to deal with crises of various kinds, one can only imagine how the general public is coping.

How can we Mend a Broken Heart?

You and I can do everything we can to touch the lives of someone who has been a victim of this tragedy, or someone who has ties to those who have been directly hit by Katrina.  Gather in small groups to talk and comfort one another.  Use spiritual strategies such as prayer, meditation, and praise to help those who are suffering in silence.  If you are a mental health professional, look for ways to volunteer to help our brothers and sisters who are displaced all over the country.   

In my attempts to connect with various agencies to assist in the relief efforts, I am hearing that few of the survivors are requesting mental health services.  This is understandable in part because the first order of the day is food, shelter, and clothing.  But I am concerned because many of the displaced, especially among the African American community have a difficult time seeking help for psychological problems under any circumstances. If the same help-seeking behavior persists, they may continue to suffer in silence making them more at risk of more serious and debilitating psychological problems. 

Therefore, our job as mental health professionals is to find ways to discuss the possible psychological impact of this travesty, the various signs and symptoms that are associated with psychological distress, and strategies for healing.  Mental health professionals who understand the cultural world (especially their religious/spiritual perspectives) of the survivors must be utilized to assist in this process.  

I am currently making preparations to travel to Texas to help meet some of the mental health needs.  Perhaps you cannot travel, but there are those around us who have lost loved ones in the tragedy or have not heard from their family members. We would all like to help in a significant way, but if each one does his or her part, our efforts will have a magnificent impact on the lives of those in need.  

In addition, I will be joining other mental health professionals, church leaders, and the community at large to attend to the hurts of those who have not made contact with their loved ones, or have lost family members.  Please join us Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2343 North San Antonio Avenue, Pomona, California.  Please call (909) 621-5369 for additional information. We will continue in our efforts to attend to the needs of the broken hearted. 

Gloria Morrow, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Upland, California, and author of Too Broken to be Fixed? A Spiritual Guide to Inner Healing; Strengthening the Ties that Bind: A Guide to a Healthy Marriage, and new DVD entitled, Suffer in Silence No More!