Paraná Officials Urge Comprehensive Mental Health Plan Following Devastating Rio Bonito do Iguaçu Tornado

Following the catastrophic tornado that struck Rio Bonito do Iguaçu on November 7, causing five deaths and injuring at least 750 people, emergency measures have been unanimously approved to aid the municipality's recovery. The tornado, classified as F3 with winds reaching up to 330 km/h according to the Sistema de Tecnologia e Monitoramento Ambiental do Paraná (Simepar), destroyed approximately 90% of the urban infrastructure. Deputy Márcia, leader of the Health Bloc and a member of the PSD, stressed the crucial need for incorporating mental health support into the recovery efforts. Drawing from her experience as Curitiba's Health Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic, she highlighted that survivors are likely to face not only immediate psychological effects such as shock, anxiety, and insomnia but also long-term consequences including PTSD, depression, and substance abuse. Studies indicate that PTSD cases may rise by up to 40% following such disasters. Márcia and the Parliamentary Front for Mental Health plan to propose policies that prioritize emotional recovery, aligning with the World Health Organization's recommendations to integrate mental health into emergency responses. This approach is deemed essential for the social and economic rebuilding of the affected community. Meanwhile, Simepar confirmed that three tornados impacted Paraná on the same day, with additional investigations underway into other possible occurrences. Márcia concluded her message with a commitment to supporting the families affected by the tornado, emphasizing that emotional care is as urgent as physical reconstruction.