Wildfires & Mental Health

Emotional recovery after a wildfire can be incredibly challenging. The stress of coping with the loss of a home, personal items, pets, livestock and other traumatic events can trigger mood swings, sleep disruption, and cause extreme nervous tension and/or depression. It is important for fire victims to be aware of how they are feeling so their emotions do not become overwhelming.

​Protect Your Emotional Well-Being

Feeling emotional after a disaster is normal but seek professional help if experiencing any of the following:

• Difficulty managing your emotions.
  
• Trouble completing daily tasks.
  
• Caring for yourself or your family.
  

Ways to Cope 

Reaching out to family and friends, seeing a therapist or primary care doctor, finding a support group, or connecting with a religious leader can all be helpful tools in overcoming or dealing with the psychological effects of a wildfire. Here are other ways to take care of yourself and your family’s emotional health:

• Find opportunities to spend time with other people to stay connected.
• Talk to a trusted friend or adviser about what you are feeling.
• Participate in enjoyable activities.
• Take frequent breaks from cleanup efforts.
• Exercise (indoors if air quality is poor).
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Get enough sleep.
• Write in a journal.
  
• Avoid relying on substances like alcohol or marijuana for stress relief. During times of great stress, their use can be counterproductive and lead to more stress, anxiety and physical symptoms.

​Helping ​Children Cope

Children will likely have a hard time processing the losses caused by wildfire and it’s easy for parents to become preoccupied with post-fire recovery. Parents are advised to pay close attention to their children’s emotional well-being by watching for behavioral changes and listening carefully to their child's questions.

Here’s are some tips on how to help children cope:

• Validate your children’s feelings. They may be feeling scared, confused, or angry.
• Be honest with your answers to your children’s questions, but don’t provide more information than necessary.
• Provide opportunities for your children to talk along with other outlets for them to express themselves, like drawing or playing.
  
• Limit their exposure to television news and online media.
• Avoid irrational promises like, “This won’t happen again.”
  
• Maintain the same daily schedule as much as possible (e.g., bedtime rituals).
• Ensure your children are eating healthy food, exercising, and maintaining healthy sleep patterns.

Watch for physical symptoms like stress-related stomachaches and headaches, regressive behavior like bed-wetting, or if they show changes in demeanor. While these are normal stress responses and are usually temporary, parents may want to seek professional help for their child if these behaviors continue.