Mental Health Effects of Floods on Adolescents in Rural Bangladesh: A Qualitative Analysis

The floods in Bangladesh are not an uncommon disaster, and the recent August 2024 floodsleft deep trauma among people residing in Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, and Lakshmipur. Amongthe many losses caused by the floods, their impact on the mental health of adolescents andchildren is particularly concerning, as these young individuals are especially vulnerable insuch traumatic situations. The study explores the psychological impacts of these floods onadolescents aged 14-22 years, examining how displacement, loss of livelihood, and thedisruption of education contribute to anxiety, depression, and mental distress in theimmediate aftermath of the flood. Seventeen in-depth, semi-structured interviews withvictims, along with discussions with family members, have been conducted to understandtheir emotional responses and uncertainties about the future. The results show a persistentpattern of mental health problems aggravated by poor access to care and the urgent need fortargeted interventions. This paper outlines not just the psychosocial struggles of youth fromflood-prone areas but also brings forth the need to integrate mental health into disaster reliefframeworks in order to build resilience and ensure recovery among such a vulnerablepopulation.