s firefighters make progress in containing the wildfires that have been raging in Southern California for weeks, experts warn that the mental-health toll will continue to affect the region for months or even years to come. With thousands evacuated and many homes destroyed, rebuilding the social and psychological resources of those impacted will be a long-term challenge.
Increased Mental-Health Crisis Calls
Mental-health crisis centers in Los Angeles have already seen a significant rise in calls related to the wildfires. According to Tia Dole, a psychologist and chief officer of the national mental-health helpline 988, there has been a five-fold increase in calls from the Los Angeles area since the fires began on January 7. These calls reveal that the predominant emotions among survivors are fear, grief, and a sense of uncertainty about the future. This emotional toll is exacerbated by the fact that California is only at the beginning of its wildfire season, with many wondering what will happen next.
The Emotional Impact on Survivors
Experts explain that the emotional impact of the wildfires is multifaceted. Survivors may experience a range of emotions, including stress, sadness, anxiety, anger, and fear. Jason Moser, a professor of psychology at Michigan State University, notes that these emotions often manifest physically, with survivors experiencing symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms.
In the immediate aftermath of the fires, people are primarily concerned with practical issues like evacuation, finding shelter, and whether their homes have been destroyed. However, as time goes on, the focus shifts more toward how individuals are coping with the trauma. Shari Sinwelski, vice president of crisis care at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, explains that survivors may face challenges in adjusting to their new realities, and emotional distress may persist long after the immediate danger has passed.
A Surge in Online Support Requests
The Crisis Text Line, which provides text-based mental-health support, has also seen an increase in messages from Los Angeles County. Dr. Shairi Turner, the organization’s chief health officer, reports that texts regarding stress and anxiety have surged in the first weeks of 2025 compared to the previous year. Many of these individuals are grappling with uncertainty about evacuation orders, feelings of isolation, and grief from the loss of their homes and routines. Some are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially those whose trauma is compounded by memories of previous wildfires.
Long-Term Mental Health Effects
Although firefighters are successfully containing the fires, experts emphasize that the emotional and psychological aftermath will be felt for a long time. The fires have disrupted countless lives, and as survivors face the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and their emotional resilience, mental-health support will be essential.
The mental-health crisis in the wake of these wildfires is a stark reminder that disaster recovery involves not only physical rebuilding but also repairing the psychological scars left on affected communities. Without adequate mental-health resources, many survivors will continue to struggle with the long-term emotional effects of this disaster.
Resources for Mental Health Support
In the wake of these wildfires, several resources are available to help survivors cope with their emotional distress. The national 988 mental-health helpline offers immediate support, and organizations like Crisis Text Line are providing ongoing assistance through text-based counseling. Local mental-health crisis centers, including Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, are also offering support, helping people process their feelings of fear, grief, and uncertainty.
While the wildfires may have been contained, the psychological impact on California’s residents is far from over. Ongoing mental-health support will be critical to helping survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of this devastating crisis.
