Impact of California wildfires on children’s mental health

The wildfires in California continue to leave after-effects on the population, especially on children and young people, as the emotional recovery after a disaster such as the one experienced at the beginning of the year can be very difficult.

Mental health experts recognize that the stress of dealing with the loss of a home, personal belongings, pets, and other traumatic events can cause mood swings, sleep disorders and cause extreme nervous tension or depression.

Alejandro Maciel, a reporter in LA, Ca. shares this story.

Six months after the fires that affected the communities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, there is concern about an increase in mental health problems among school-aged children and youth.

According to the Pasadena Unified School District (https://www.pusd.us/fire-relief/mental-health-resources) at least six schools were damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire, affecting more than 10,000 students, nearly 1,000 of whom were left homeless.

In response, Senator Sasha Renne Perez, representative of the 25th district, ( https://sd25.senate.ca.gov/ )organized the forum Let’s Heal Together: Our Children’s Mental Health After the Eaton Fire ( https://sd25.senate.ca.gov/video/healing-together-our-childrens-mental-health-after-eaton-fire ), which brought together numerous organizations that provide mental health services in the affected areas.

Jocelyn Mesa professor of psychiatry at UCLA, psychologist and expert on issues of suicide, depression and anxiety, ( https://profiles.ucla.edu/jocelyn.meza )participated in the forum and spoke about the symptoms they are seeing among children affected by the fires.

“Isolation, they begin to isolate themselves from their family, a lot of fear, it can manifest itself in many nightmares that something is going to happen, concentration problems at school, because their mind is somewhere else.”

The specialist Mesa, said that one of the main problems they are detecting among these children is the lack of hope.

“They feel like things aren’t going to change, and when someone loses hope, it’s one of the most risky factors for suicide.”

Melissa Brymer, director of UCLA’s Terrorism and Disaster program (https://newsroom.ucla.edu/experts/melissa-brymer ) said there are signs that families should watch for to know if their child is facing a serious mental health problem such as sudden mood swings among adolescents, while in children physical symptoms such as stomachaches or headaches can be observed.

Mesa said that in addition to the trauma generated by the fires, Latino children are facing the trauma of knowing that their parents are being pursued by ICE agents, and that aggravates their mental situation.

“Right now what I’m seeing more in the Emergency Department is fear about deportation…. I see that many adolescents arrive with fear that they are going to lose their parents, that they are going to be deported, that they are going to be left with no one to help them.”

Dr. Jorge Partida, director of psychology for Los Angeles County, ( https://www.hhwnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr.-Jorge-Partida-Bio.pdf ) recommended that families seek services in the affected areas.

“More than anything is to engage children through certain activities, sports and fun that can be an input to provide services to the family as well.”

In Los Angeles California, Alejandro Maciel

Thank you very much, Alejandro Maciel.

And if you or a family member needs support, you should know that there are support groups that can provide a safe space for children and their families to share their experiences and support each other.

You can seek support from the California Department of Health, where guidance on coping with loss is provided; it is important for fire victims to be aware of how they are feeling so that their emotions do not become overwhelming.

You can seek support from the California Department of Health, where guidance on coping with loss is provided; it is important for fire victims to be aware of how they are feeling so that their emotions do not become overwhelming.

In addition, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline is available where you can get immediate help, you can call or text and access a direct chat on this lifeline.

Remember that you are not alone whether you are facing mental health issues, emotional distress, or just need to talk to someone, remember that the 988 helpline is available.