A Study of Mental Health Consequences of Cyclone “Thane”, India

Rooted in qualitative research and considering the perspective of vulnerability, this chapter examines both underlying social factors involved in exposure and local issues encountered by victims that produced mental health disorders in the affected areas. While an event like cyclone could serve as catalyst for the happening of disaster, the precise roots of mental health problems lied in the socially induced vulnerability associated with places and populations. The impact of gender, caste, socio-economic status and social network were apparent at virtually every stage of cyclone “Thane” in Puducherry showing importance of stratification, inequality and differential vulnerability in the social system.