All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Offering help when it’s needed most: After a disaster, research shows mental health services should be available in long-term recovery phase

In the months that follow, after the recovery crews have packed up and gone home, hopelessness and isolation set in for many disaster victims. These are the times when mental health support is needed most, according to a West Virginia University researcher. (WVU Illustration/Michelle McGettigan)

MORGANTOWN — In the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, help is easy to find. Local churches cook hot meals. National and state recovery efforts offer aid. Community members band together.

But in the months that follow, after the recovery crews have packed up and gone home, hopelessness and isolation set in for many disaster victims. These are the times when mental health support is needed most, according to a West Virginia University researcher.

Summer Hartley, assistant vice president of the Office of Health Affairs, is one of the co-authors of a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, “Community Assessment for Mental and Physical Health Effects After Hurricane Irma — Florida Keys, May 2019.”

While at the University of Miami, Hartley assisted the health department in the Florida Keys with researching high instances of suicide in Monroe County. Her research found that many longtime locals were struggling to make ends meet when property taxes and food prices increased as the area became a booming tourist industry. Based on the findings, the county was able to lobby for affordable housing initiatives to help their struggling residents, as well as utilize more funding for mental health providers.

While Hartley was relocating to the University of North Carolina, Hurricane Irma struck the Keys. Nearing the year anniversary of the hurricane, there was a spike of suicides beyond what had previously been reported. The health department again requested her assistance to figure out what was happening.

“Directly after a hurricane or tornado or other natural disaster, a survey called CASPER (Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response) is used to assess physical health issues, such as water safety, electricity needs, health needs and house damages,” Hartley said. “But we modified the survey to include mental health assessments, which hadn’t been done before.”

The team had already anticipated one set of findings — folks were at greater risk for suicide if their houses had been severely damaged or if they’d experienced a significant financial impact. However, the most important finding was about timing, Hartley said.

“When we asked about timing, when the mental health impact post-disaster really hit the community, we found that around a year to 18 months later is when things really get bad.”

Hartley said the literature for the 1918 Flu supports the notion that the mental health impact of a disaster hits around 18 months later, which is what the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has categorized as the “psychological recovery phase.”

“Right now, the federal and state response in disaster response plans deploy mental health resources immediately after disaster,” Hartley said. “Those resources are in community for about six months, then they leave. They’re not really where they need to be.

“Immediately after a disaster, there’s strong community cohesion — people banding together, neighbors working together, fundraisers, people giving support. But the negative psychological impact of the disaster occurs later, after those resources leave the area. During long-term recovery, the initial resources are gone, but the victims are still clearing up, trying to get back on their feet with no added mental health resources.” 

Whether in hurricane response in Florida or flood response in West Virginia, Hartley believes these findings can be applied broadly to disaster response planning on a local, state and federal level. Even following the COVID-19 global pandemic, Hartley said these guidelines can be helpful.

“A pandemic is a public health disaster. That’s what the science tells us. We should listen to the science and prepare appropriately for increases in anxiety, depression and suicides as we approach the long-term recovery phase.”

Ultimately, Hartley hopes to see this information incorporated into the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Incident Management System, which guides all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from incidents.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Moon Flower opens first satellite store at Delmonte Market in Elkins

Moon Flower Hemp, a woman-owned craft cannabis shop, is opening its first satellite location inside Elkins’s Delmonte Market, offering exclusive products, infused drinks, educational support and special perks for early customers.

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s ‘The Lion King Kids’ set to roar at Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King Kids on June 20 and 21 at the Colonial Arts Center, showcasing young local talent in a family-friendly production directed by Ella McNeish.

Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board Agenda: June 26, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board has released the agenda for its upcoming June 26, 2025, meeting.

B-U’s Landon Marple earns All-State baseball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Landon Marple, who led his team in multiple offensive categories, was named to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Baseball Team as an Honorable Mention.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Kelly Povroznik earns certification in integrative and functional nutrition

Kelly Povroznik, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned certification as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, bringing advanced holistic nutrition expertise to her patients and community.

Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman says numerous community complaints led to vape shop raids

Community complaints about Upshur County vape shops selling to minors prompted a months-long investigation that led to multi-agency raids, seizure of $500,000 in illegal products, and an ongoing probe with arrests likely.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 19, 2025

Argo Books is launching a community co-op, the Upshur County Library has won a grant for new computer classes, Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, and Fish Hawk Acres has resumed ‘grab & go’ service but paused breakfast.

Weese family legacy burns bright as Brandon coaches Flame 304 to new growth

Brandon Weese is continuing his family’s Buckhannon-Upshur basketball legacy by coaching the Flame 304 girls travel team, which now features players from multiple counties and emphasizes both athletic and personal growth.

Upshur County pool splashes back from repairs, continues busy summer with activities, parties and night swims

After a multi-day closure for repairs, the Upshur County Pool is reopening with a packed summer schedule featuring lessons, parties, night swims, and new event packages, positioning it for one of its busiest seasons yet.