Houston Daily

The University of Houston's Humana Institute recently organized a community conversation to address the mental health impacts of recurring natural disasters. The event brought together experts, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and community leaders to discuss how Houston can better prepare for and recover from such events.

Dr. Lola Adepoju, director of the Humana Institute at UH, emphasized the importance of emotional infrastructure alongside physical preparedness. "Preparedness isn’t just about physical infrastructure – it’s about emotional infrastructure, too," she stated.

The town hall event was supported by a grant from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and marked the end of a two-year study that documented residents' experiences in vulnerable neighborhoods like Kashmere Gardens and Fifth Ward. Findings were presented through a gallery walk exhibit showcasing personal stories through images depicting disaster impacts.

"We wanted to create a space where people could see themselves and their stories reflected," said Adepoju. "The gallery walk wasn’t just data – it was dignity."

A panel discussion followed with community leaders including Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Dr. Dave Curtis from UH's Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine discussing solutions for disaster preparedness and mental health care access.

Adepoju highlighted ongoing trauma in communities due to extreme weather events: “Disaster resilience must include mental health support as part of the foundation – not as an afterthought.”

Dr. Curtis introduced UH's Mental Health First Aid program as a resource for recognizing mental health challenges: “Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness; it’s something we have to actively care for every day.”

Plans are underway for future events to continue this conversation and expand access to resources, with an emphasis on supporting Houston's most impacted neighborhoods through evidence-based solutions.

"Preparedness isn’t just about physical infrastructure – it’s about emotional infrastructure, too," reiterated Adepoju.