Almost 3 Years After Superstorm Sandy, Mental Health Distress Remains

Almost three years after Superstorm Sandy tore through New Jersey, destroying homes in its wake, about 27 percent of the state’s residents face moderate to severe mental health distress, a study found.

“Unfinished repairs, lingering insurance claim disputes, mold problems and financial strain are causing mental health distress, including depression and PTSD symptoms,” according to a news release from Rutgers University.

Researchers at Rutgers and New York University worked with Columbia and Colorado State universities to survey 1,000 New Jersey residents affected by the storm. Those residents were used as a representative sample of the more than 100,000 people in New Jersey whose primary homes were structurally damaged in the storm.

Among the key findings of the Sandy Child and Family Study:

• “More than one-quarter of the 100,000-plus New Jersey residents whose homes were hit by significant structural damage in Superstorm Sandy are experiencing moderate to severe mental health distress two and a half years later
• “About 14 percent report PTSD symptoms
• “Children from hurricane-damaged homes are five times more likely to feel sad or depressed and eight times more likely to have trouble sleeping than children whose homes were not affected by Sandy
• “Residents who do not have enough money to pay rent or mortgage and for other basic needs have health problems similar to those experienced by people living in poverty
• “Recurring mold problems were linked to asthma and mental health problems.”

For the full report, click here.

Patch file photo