Primary Convener:
Azar Abadi, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Convener:
Dennis Stolle, American Psychological Association
Mark Shimamoto, American Geophysical Union

Chair:
Azar Abadi, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Dennis Stolle, American Psychological Association
Mark Shimamoto, American Geophysical Union

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast, the region continues to navigate profound mental health impacts. Research consistently highlights that psychological consequences—including depression, PTSD, and pervasive anxiety—are among the most severe, pervasive, and enduring outcomes of climate disasters. Yet, narratives of post-traumatic growth and community resilience have emerged, offering vital insights into adaptation and recovery. This panel adopts an interdisciplinary, population health perspective, spotlighting the disproportionate mental health burdens on vulnerable populations and amplifying diverse lived experiences. By integrating firsthand community accounts, local responder perspectives, longitudinal research insights, and expertise from climate scientists, this session will explore comprehensive mental health outcomes and resilience strategies from the past two decades. Discussions will leverage Katrina's lessons to fortify vulnerable communities nationwide, illuminating pathways toward healing, resilience, and proactive preparation for future climate challenges.

Index Terms
0230 Impacts of climate change: human health
0240 Public health
1817 Extreme events
4332 Disaster resilience

Neighborhoods:
1. Science Nexus