Resilient Futures: Disaster Risk Reduction and Youth Mental Health
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
In Person or Zoom Presentation
Virtual via Zoom
Campus
Worldwide
Status
Student
Student Year and Major
Graduate Student, Human Security and Resilience
Presentation Description/Abstract
Climate change is among the most significant public health threats of the 21st century, with children and adolescents bearing disproportionate mental health impacts. Natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes heighten risks of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and long-term psychosocial harm, particularly in vulnerable regions like Puerto Rico. Cascading disasters, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria, subsequent earthquakes, COVID-19, exposed fragile infrastructure, severe workforce shortages, and inequitable access to care. There are alarming rates of suicidal ideation, trauma, and displacement, underscoring the urgent need for proactive approaches. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in Puerto Rico has largely been reactive, emphasizing recovery after disasters rather than preparedness. Emerging evidence and global frameworks, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, advocate integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) with MHPSS to strengthen resilience. Schools, as trusted community anchors, offer a strategic platform for embedding disaster education, psychosocial support, and resilience training into daily curricula. Programs that engage children in preparedness activities, peer education, and community awareness have been shown to reduce disaster-related anxiety, strengthen family preparedness, and foster confidence and communication skills. This study argues for a phased, multi-stakeholder strategy to integrate DRR and youth mental health into Puerto Rico’s schools. Recommendations include establishing interagency task forces, training educators in psychological first aid, piloting school-based programs, and codifying DRR into educational policy. Embedding resilience education will not only reduce long-term mental health burdens but also prepare future generations to navigate climate-driven crises with strength and equity.
Keywords
Mental health, disaster risk reduction, Puerto Rico, youth
Resilient Futures: Disaster Risk Reduction and Youth Mental Health
Climate change is among the most significant public health threats of the 21st century, with children and adolescents bearing disproportionate mental health impacts. Natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes heighten risks of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and long-term psychosocial harm, particularly in vulnerable regions like Puerto Rico. Cascading disasters, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria, subsequent earthquakes, COVID-19, exposed fragile infrastructure, severe workforce shortages, and inequitable access to care. There are alarming rates of suicidal ideation, trauma, and displacement, underscoring the urgent need for proactive approaches. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in Puerto Rico has largely been reactive, emphasizing recovery after disasters rather than preparedness. Emerging evidence and global frameworks, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, advocate integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) with MHPSS to strengthen resilience. Schools, as trusted community anchors, offer a strategic platform for embedding disaster education, psychosocial support, and resilience training into daily curricula. Programs that engage children in preparedness activities, peer education, and community awareness have been shown to reduce disaster-related anxiety, strengthen family preparedness, and foster confidence and communication skills. This study argues for a phased, multi-stakeholder strategy to integrate DRR and youth mental health into Puerto Rico’s schools. Recommendations include establishing interagency task forces, training educators in psychological first aid, piloting school-based programs, and codifying DRR into educational policy. Embedding resilience education will not only reduce long-term mental health burdens but also prepare future generations to navigate climate-driven crises with strength and equity.