Recognizing the Hidden Toll of Hurricane Disasters as Another Season Begins
As June marks National PTSD Awareness Month, FISH OF SANCAP is reminding the community that not all storm damage can be seen. After Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton — and now with another hurricane season beginning — the emotional and mental strain continues for many who call this region home.
“When we first started Mental Health Wednesdays after Hurricane Ian, it was because we saw something that wasn’t being talked about enough,” says Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH OF SANCAP. “People were struggling — not just with flooded homes and financial setbacks — but with fear, anxiety, and trauma that remained long after the storms moved on.”
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who’s lived through a traumatic event, including natural disasters like hurricanes. National studies show that while around 7-8% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point, those numbers jump dramatically after disasters — with estimates of 30-40% of survivors experiencing ongoing symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, flashbacks, or depression.[i]
“Each year when hurricane season begins, and every time a storm starts brewing in the Gulf, the anxiety creeps back in,” adds Espinoza. “You see it in our seniors, our children, our business owners, our first responders and our own team members — it impacts everyone in different ways. And after multiple hurricanes in just a few years, that toll adds up.”
That’s why FISH enhanced its services to include free, confidential counseling through Mental Health Wednesdays, offering a safe space for islanders to talk, process, and begin healing. Partnering with licensed counselors from SalusCare, FISH helps ensure that those who need support can get it — whether they’ve never sought counseling before or just need someone to talk to who understands.
As the new hurricane season begins, FISH wants the community to know they’re not alone. “Mental health matters,” says Espinoza. “It’s just as important as repairing a roof or replacing a car. And reaching out for help is the first step to healing.”
For over four decades, FISH OF SANCAP has stood alongside the community through gray skies and blue, offering food, financial assistance, senior support, disaster recovery, and mental health services. As PTSD Awareness Month reminds us, healing takes time — and neighbors helping neighbors is at the heart of it all.
