Traumatology, Vol 31(3), Sep 2025, 362-363; doi:10.1037/trm0000641
The purpose of this special issue is to dedicate a space for exploring the themes of resilience and recovery within the context of Hurricane Katrina, 20 years later. Specifically, the aim is to reflect on the long-term psychological, social, and community-based impacts, with lessons learned in the two decades following the disaster. This special issue includes a collection of firsthand experiences that assisted in the recovery process, along with empirical studies and reviews related to the field after Hurricane Katrina. A call to action is that we prioritize research, education, and policy to effectively address the impacts of disasters we experience daily. It is imperative that in between disasters, also referred to as the blue-sky days, we address pre-existing conditions of mental health to limit the impacts when disaster does occur, and doing so build out resilience. It is also important that we further advance policy to prioritize disaster preparedness for all but specifically for the most vulnerable populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)