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Katrina Survivors Mostly Optimistic, New Study Finds
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Before the hurricane, 16 percent of people had a diagnosable mental illness, with 6 percent having a serious one. After Katrina, 31 percent of people had a mental illness, with 11 percent serious. At both times, just under 3 percent of people admitted to having suicidal thoughts. Researchers do not yet know the suicide rate among storm survivors but plan to gather that data in the future.
Between one-third and half the people with serious mental illness have post-traumatic stress disorder "at their core," Kessler said. The rest primarily have depression and anxiety disorders.
Eighty-two percent of the sample, and 69 percent of those with serious mental illness, reported they "became closer to loved ones" after the hurricane; 75 percent and 82 percent said they "found deeper meaning in life"; and 67 percent and 73 percent said they had become "more spiritual or religious."
Asked whether the storm and flood "made you realize that you have inner strengths or competence that you did not previously know you had," 62 percent of blacks answered "a lot," compared with 36 percent of whites. Of the low-income people in the sample, 58 percent gave that answer, compared with 27 percent of those with a high income.
On other subjects, 61 percent reported financial problems, 50 percent housing problems and 37 percent employment problems six months out.
"The study is very useful in affirming a sense of resilience, but we are also seeing a large expression of need," said Anthony H. Speier, director of disaster mental health operations for the state of Louisiana and one of the researchers.
The telephone interviewers employed by the researchers asked questions that required short answers, often yes or no. They hoped to keep each call to 25 minutes. But they found that people mostly wanted to tell their stories.
Kessler and his colleagues decided to change methods. People could say what they wanted, and interviewers interjected the questions. Many calls took two or three sessions, and they averaged 90 minutes.
A sample of the narratives, from people who agreed to have them made public, can be listened to at http:/
The study, which will cost about $2 million, is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. It will interview the sample group every six months for two years.
