Islanders asked to participate in study about impact of Hurricane Fiona on mental health

September 23, 2022, is a date that most Islanders will never forget. Hurricane Fiona roared across Prince Edward Island, leaving massive destruction in its wake—the costliest storm ever recorded in Atlantic Canada.

While the storm caused millions of dollars in physical damage to the province, what is not known is the impact that it had on Islanders’ mental health. Dr. Xander Wang and Dr. Pelin Kinay, of UPEI’s School of Climate Change and Adaptation, are hoping to find out through a research study called “Measuring the Psychological Toll of Hurricane Fiona: A Case Study for Islanders on Prince Edward Island.”

Drs. Wang and Kinay have launched a survey at https://forms.gle/c3aiYF2g9PA3nsbq8 and are asking Islanders to participate. The survey is anonymous and takes about five minutes to complete.

“Since there are still unheard voices on the effects of Hurricane Fiona on mental health on Prince Edward Island, to the best of our knowledge, this study will be the first to evaluate such effects, with the ultimate goal of influencing public health and policy,” said Dr. Kinay.

Dr. Kinay said that they will eventually publish an article based on the results of their study. 

For more information about the study, please contact Dr. Kinay at pkinay@upei.ca or 902-388-2013