California wildfires: Mental health tips to cope with loss and grief amid devastation

As California wildfires continue to rage on, unbelievable scenes of destruction are unfolding with people losing their homes, landmark buildings getting destroyed in the fire, and animals jostling to reach to a safer space. The tragic natural disaster may leave deeper scars than visible as once people get back to normal life and process what they have lost, depending on their coping mechanism, they are at risk of facing mental health struggles.
Mental health is intricately linked to your surroundings. People who lose their homes to the fire do not just part with a physical structure, but also a truckload of memories associated with their abode. Those who lose their loved ones in such tragedies face unimaginable grief which could impact their health.

Mental health impact of natural disasters

According to research published in the American Psychiatric Association, wildfires can lead to increased rates of anxiety and depression and symptoms may become worse among people who already have these conditions.

Many people are also at risk of developing

post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD), which is normal in case of events like wildfires, which can lead to intrusive thoughts and nightmares.
Besides, wildfire smoke which is full of toxins can reach neighbouring areas too and can lead to mental health troubles. A 2024 study from Emory University published in Nature found that wildfire smoke is linked to emergency department visits for anxiety disorders with higher risks among girls, women and older adults.

Firefighters and first responders who help rescue people or treat those who get injured could develop mental health problems too.
An August 2016 study found that approximately 20% of firefighters and paramedics meet the criteria for PTSD at some point in their career compared to a 6.8% lifetime risk for the general population, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

How to take care of mental health

Allow yourself to mourn: Accept that such tragedies need time to cope. Be it a loss of home or a loved one, it takes time to accept and process what has happened. So give yourself time to adjust. Allow yourself to mourn the losses you have experienced.
Ask for support: Reach a counselor or talk to a friend to process your loss and get emotional support.
Eat meals at regular times and do regular exercise. Try to do activities that you like.
Keep things in perspective. Try to focus on the good things in your life and be grateful for them.
Be kind to yourself: Some feelings may be difficult for you to accept. Let negative thoughts run its course so that they are released and you are able to restart afresh.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. They can suppress your feelings rather than help you manage or lessen your distress. They also can intensify your emotional pain.