Mental Health Pathfinders: Mental Health After Disaster with Dr. Andrew McLean

Natural disasters can leave psychological effects that last long after the immediate crisis has passed. Host Erin Connors speaks with Dr. Andrew McLean, chair of the APA Committee on the Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster, about how disasters affect individuals, families, and communities, and the role psychiatrists can play in supporting recovery. Dr. McLean discusses warning signs that someone may be struggling, how children can respond differently to traumatic events, the risks of repeated exposure to disaster coverage, and the growing impact of climate anxiety. He also shares practical strategies for coping, including his three R's: rest, routine, and relationships.