What Do Natural Disasters Mean for Our Mental Health?

House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy (@Surgeon_General) is a podcast hosted by the 21st U.S. Surgeon General. In each episode, Dr. Murthy and his guests explore how they navigate the messiness and uncertainties of life to find meaning and joy. By sharing openly what’s on our minds and in our hearts, we can find strength and healing through connection. Guests will include experts and thought leaders in their field who have found ways to forge deeper connections, showcase a human-centered view of public health, and build community and healing.

Hurricanes, droughts, forest fires, and other natural disasters make big news. While cameras show us the wreckage when disaster strikes, for communities on the ground, the story does not end there. The effects of these dramatic and scary events are scarring on our mental and emotional health. What does living in a world of worsening natural disasters mean for our mental health? How can we respond to the trauma that natural disasters inflict, especially on children? Psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. Rosaura Orengo-Aguayo is all too familiar with this scenario. Having grown up in Puerto Rico, she has helped train thousands of people on her home island in psychological first aid. In this episode, she and the Surgeon General also talk about why social connection is critical to recovery, especially when everything feels hopeless.