Mental health consequences of the 2024 Feni flash flood in Bangladesh: prevalence and risk factors

The 2024 flash flood in Feni District, Bangladesh, was an unforeseen disaster that significantly disrupted livelihoods, infrastructure, and overall well-being. While the physical and economic consequences of floods are widely studied, their impact on mental health remains underexplored, particularly in flood-prone regions like Bangladesh. This study examines the mental health issue experienced by flood survivors, focusing on depression, anxiety, and stress using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,981 individuals affected by the flood. The findings reveal an alarming prevalence of mental health disorders, with 52.80% suffering from severe depression, 44.17% from severe anxiety, and 46.90% from severe stress. Key risk factors included age, education level, chronic illness, and social satisfaction. Older adults and individuals with lower educational attainment or pre-existing health conditions were particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges. The study also identified gaps in disaster preparedness, including ineffective early warning systems, inadequate evacuation shelters, and insufficient socioeconomic support. These findings underscore the pressing need for targeted mental health interventions, strengthened disaster management policies, and intensified community resilience efforts. Strengthening mental health services, improving flood preparedness, and fostering community support networks are critical to mitigating the long-term psychological impact of future disasters.