Two Decades After Katrina

Hurricane Katrina remains one of the most consequential natural disasters in US history, not only for its physical devastation but also for the inequities it exposed and intensified. Two decades later, Katrina provides a critical case for examining the evolution of disaster mental health understanding, policy, and practice, particularly for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by both the storm and its aftermath. This conceptual-analytical article synthesizes empirical literature, policy analysis, and historical documentation to examine long-term mental health outcomes following Katrina and to evaluate the development and application of resilience-based disaster mental health frameworks. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives, the article assesses how disaster mental health responses have evolved, where structural failures persist, and what lessons can be applied toward future disasters. The analysis emphasizes the need for trauma-informed, intersectional, and community-centered approaches to promote resilience and sustainable post-disaster recovery.