Earthquake. Wreckage. Two realities for Myanmar, which on March 28, 2025, experienced the country’s second-worst earthquake. Known as the “Golden Land” due to its many golden temples that offer peace of mind, Myanmar’s mental health services remain under great strain and even more so under the current dilemma.

Effectively, a humanitarian crisis linked with Myanmar’s pre-existing vulnerability to natural disasters, like a 7.7 magnitude quake, coupled with cultural, economic and financial stressors, adversely impacting well-being, as poverty rates near 50% and a new death toll surpasses 3,000. While naturally physically devastating, many often discount or overlook the psychological implications of an earthquake and the relationship between natural disasters and poverty in lower socio-economic countries.

In Myanmar, the emotional recovery for those living on less than $1 a day may take longer than physical reconstruction. An approach that shows promise is addressing mental health and psychosocial needs as a core part of disaster recovery and poverty reduction.

Struggles by the Numbers

Since 2021, Myanmar has faced a worsening military takeover, civil unrest, armed conflict, mass internal displacement and a COVID-19-induced recession.

• In 2023, poverty rates rose to 49.7% from 24.8% in 2017 (24.4% living in extreme poverty).
• Women-headed households are 1.2 times more likely to live in poverty.
• Four of Myanmar’s seven states reported median household incomes dropping by nearly 50%.

These conditions increased national instability and the need for relief in a country facing debilitating humanitarian, bureaucratic, financial and geographical constrictions. Compounded by the crippling March earthquake, the well-being of nearly 55 million people in Myanmar remain at risk, as one in three people continue to suffer from mental health issues related to population shocks. In 2021, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety made up 46.4% of mental health diagnoses in the country.

Rummaging Through Rubble

Earthquakes disproportionately affect developing countries, as poor infrastructure and a lack of resources often dictate the quality of preparedness and response to natural disasters. Decisions about reducing disaster vulnerability are often made collectively rather than by individuals.

Consequently, such differential impact disadvantages the impoverished, who usually are subjects of lower quality living and decreased socioeconomic opportunity. Although disaster preparedness and prevention can significantly reduce vulnerability, the poor are frequently excluded from decision-making processes due to political marginalization, leading to their interests being overlooked in favor of those with power and influence.

Regarding the relationship between psychological distress and exposure to earthquakes, researchers highlight a direct correlation and even a heightening effect on deteriorated mental health outcomes for vulnerable groups. Specifically, one study demonstrated how a 2006 earthquake increased anxiety, depression and sleep disorders by 8.39%, 10.47% and 7.37%, respectively. Moreover, the earthquake increased loneliness by 10% and decreased motivation, nutritional habits and employment by 10%, 12.37% and 2.11%, respectively. After an earthquake, women, children and the elderly are more likely to develop psychological distress than men.

Low-income households and those in rural areas face higher rates of psychological distress following earthquakes, often without access to treatment or support. An earthquake’s psychological impact can last more than eight years.

MHPSS

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs provide targeted interventions for communities affected by crisis. In Nepal, MHPSS efforts following two major earthquakes in 2015 improved mental health outcomes in 54% of participants within six months. Among those with severe impairments at the start of the program, 89% reported improvements.

MHPSS can indirectly contribute to poverty reduction. By improving mental health and social integration, these programs help increase productivity and reduce health care costs. Research suggests MHPSS interventions may continue playing a significant role in long-term recovery by helping individuals build resilience and restore livelihoods.

Here are some of the key initiatives in Myanmar currently:

• Minimum Service Package (MSP). Sponsored by WHO, UNICEF and the United Nations (U.N.), the MSP delivers immediate psychological and medical support to vulnerable populations. The program offers standardized MHPSS delivery by integrating psychological care with emergency services and health referrals.
• National Emergency Health Care Plan for Disasters. This initiative brings together the Ministry of Health, Myanmar Red Cross, Department of Administration and Department of Relief and Resettlement. The goal is to lower financial barriers to care and establish a strong mental health infrastructure before, during and after natural disasters.
• The Psychological Support Program (PSS). PSS operates at the community level to provide counseling and group support, focusing on trauma recovery and emotional stabilization after crises.
• Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). PATH works across several regions in Myanmar to train local health workers, distribute mental health resources and offer basic mental health services to underserved communities.

Moving Forward

Natural disasters have claimed more than 1.23 million lives globally in the past two decades. Myanmar’s March earthquake adds to this toll and the estimated $2.97 trillion global disaster cost. It also highlights the urgent need to address mental health in poverty reduction strategies. As one in eight people worldwide live with a mental health condition, integrating MHPSS into emergency response may help Myanmar’s most vulnerable populations recover and thrive. These ongoing interventions offer not only psychological relief but a pathway toward economic and social well-being.

– Marcus Villagomez

Marcus is based in Galveston, TX USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr