August 07, 2023
Rain anxiety shadow over Hawke’s Bay recovery
Hawke’s Bay health and social service agencies say they’re struggling to deal with the health fall out from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Napier Family Centre chief executive Kerry Henderson says a lot of the focus has been on physical recovery, but she’s seeing growing mental health need.
There’s even a new term called “rain anxiety” – where downpours put everyone on edge.”There’s a long road of physical and mental recovery ahead, and I’m just not sure if we’re focusing enough on that mental recovery. You know, times are tough and it’s important to remember emotional and social impacts of natural disasters – like floods and cyclones – remain long after the water recedes,” Ms Henderson says.
The region also saw major flooding in 2020, and residents fear weather extremes may be the new normal.