Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health

The National Weather Service escalated its fire alert on January 3: “Critical Fire Conditions - Any fire that starts may grow rapidly in size with extreme fire behavior.”

On January 6, Los Angeles County posted a red flag warning for a “particularly dangerous situation” that predicted “widespread 50-80 mph wind gusts and isolated 80-100 mph wind gusts for mountains and foothills”.

Red flag warnings are a normal part of everyday life in Los Angeles and its surrounding counties. Wildfires are a constant threat in Southern California - especially when it’s dry and windy.

But this warning felt different.

Everyone in Southern California knows that, during a weather event like the one predicted for January 7, a single burning ember can shake loose in the strong winds, take flight, and travel miles away - landing on rooftops and igniting another fire; and another; and another.

And that’s what happened.

At 10:29 AM on January 7, a Pacific Palisades resident saw smoke on the hillside above his home and called 911. That was the beginning of The Palisades Fire.

Eight hours later, a new wildfire emerged in Altadena – The Eaton Fire. Then another one started in Sylmar – The Hurst Fire. Even people watching the disaster from afar on national media and social media could tell what was happening: Los Angeles was on fire. At least twenty-nine people perished in the LA fires. Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced from their homes and communities. More than 18,000 structures are gone. 40,000 acres are charred.

The California wildfires that scorched Los Angeles on January 7 will be one of the costliest natural disasters in US history. The Los Angeles fires will be costly for another reason too.

One of the most destructive aspects of a natural disaster is the internal wreckage it can cause: anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and other serious psychological issues.

We often think about the physical damage caused by natural disasters, but we rarely consider the impact these catastrophic events can have on the mental health of people in the direct line of fire (and even those far away from the front lines.)

But we should.

Wildfires Within: The Psychological Damage of Natural Disasters

According to research, approximately one-third of wildfire survivors will develop PTSD (Psychological Medicine). Around fifteen percent of people will get depression (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health).

Even people who don’t experience a natural disaster first-hand can develop a serious mental health condition. Even if someone never sees a flame, they can develop anxiety and chronic stress from exposure to smoke (BMC Public Health).

Fire is dangerous and deadly. But smoke tends to cause even more harm to mental health in the aftermath of a wildfire.

And there's this: natural disasters don’t only impact individuals – they can also damage the collective psyche of communities. Disrupting the norms, rituals, and routines that provide a basis for resilience.

And this: Survivors don't just suffer personal and communal loss, they also grieve the destruction of their surroundings - the natural environment that provides an important source of recreation and emotional support.

Solastagia is the name for this kind of loss. It describes the emotional distress people feel when their home environment changes in a negative way. It can also contribute to a spiral of mental health issues after a natural disaster.

Now, for the good news.

Even if natural disasters cause increased anxiety, insomnia, stress, and other psychological struggles, most survivors won’t develop a mental health disorder that requires medical intervention. Usually, the emotional responses that follow a wildfire (or other disaster) go away on their own.

Still, it’s good to be aware of some of the short-term mental health consequences (that usually get better with time) and long-term mental health issues (that may require intervention), so you can help yourself and others who might struggle more than most after the smoke clears.

What are the Immediate Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health?

In the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, many adults report physical and psychological symptoms that affect their quality of life. These are expected responses that dissipate as the memories of the disaster fade into the distance.

Here’s a list of some of the physical and psychological symptoms people report:

Common Physical Symptoms

Headaches, nausea, chest pain, and body aches. Appetite changes – feeling hungry or lacking an appetite

Common Psychological Symptoms

Trouble Sleeping: Vivid, intrusive dreams and nightmares, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and physical reactions like a rapid heartbeat or sweating. Poor sleep can lead to exhaustion and low energy.

Problems Concentrating & Making Decisions: Experts recommend avoiding major life decisions until post-disaster symptoms subside.

Increased Sensitivity to Environmental Triggers: Sights, sounds, or smells (e.g., sirens, smoke) may cause anxiety about a repeat disaster.

Emotional Fluctuations: Feelings of sadness, irritability, anger, hyperactivity, or numbness.

Strained Relationships: More conflicts with family, friends, and co-workers.

Social Withdrawal & Reduced Activities: Avoidance of social interactions or previously enjoyed activities.

Survivor’s Guilt & Grief: Feeling guilty about surviving with minimal loss compared to others.

Alcohol & Drug Misuse: Many people turn to alcohol or drugs to ease the emotional distress of a disaster.

The Long-Term Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health

Two years after Hurricane Katrina swamped New Orleans, nearly one-half of subjects in one study suffered from PTSD (American Journal of Orthopsychiatry). A review of sixty studies published in Behavioral Sciences found that people affected by wildfires had higher rates of depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and PTSD many years after the events.

A meta-analysis (Cureus) that examined twenty-two natural disasters and included 50,000 participants came to the same conclusion.Natural disasters are associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders (especially depression, GAD, and PTSD) and, left unchecked, short-term mental health issues can lead to long-term health complications.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Strategies for Supporting Mental Health After a Natural Disaster

Even if certain people are more susceptible to poor mental health following a natural disaster (children, elderly, low-income communities, pre-existing medical conditions), experiencing a mental health problem after an environmental crisis isn’t inevitable.

There are several proven and practical strategies survivors and surrounding communities can employ to help people cope and recover in the aftermath of disaster. Here are a few examples:

Stay Connected

A traumatic experience can feel like an isolated event, but the entire community is at a collective loss. Isolation is a big risk factor for mental health issues, and one of the best indicators of recovery from a natural disaster is the quality of a person’s social connections.

Seek Support

Therapy, counseling, and support groups can help people process trauma and develop coping skills. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly helpful for treating PTSD symptoms and anxiety.

Be Prepared

Education about disaster preparedness empowers people to take decisive action if faced with a traumatic event in the future. Personal disaster planning that involves family members can also help with anxiety.

Take Your Time (and Take It Easy)

Recovery is a marathon. Not a sprint. Practice patience and find ways to combat negative thoughts and feelings. 'Mental time travel’ – imaging where you and your community will be in a few months – can be a useful technique.

Practice Self Care

Avoid unhealthy coping strategies (alcohol, tobacco, drugs) and focus on healthier options instead: eating better, staying hydrated, getting physical activity, prioritizing sleep. Mindfulness practices, like breath work, meditation, and yoga, are great ideas. Re-establishing a routine can be helpful too.

Serve Others

Volunteering can bring back a sense of purpose and belonging. Offer space for gatherings, hold meetings for parents to help kids cope, or arrange a social function to connect community members.

Take a Break from Social Media and Television Coverage

Constant exposure to disturbing news reports and images can increase distress.

Go Home

Interviews with disaster survivors indicate the immense value people placed on visiting their charred homes and neighborhoods. Officials need to clear rubble, but letting people take their time to mourn their losses can be beneficial to the healing process.

Women are Impacted more by Natural Disasters than Men

Research shows that natural disasters negatively impact women more than men. They are more likely to have poor mental health outcomes and to experience PTSD and anxiety. They are more prone to intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, and harassment too. Traumatic events can disrupt hormonal balances in women and lead to reproductive health risks, including early pregnancy loss, premature delivery, irregular periods, and infections.

Natural disasters leave more than just physical destruction in their wake – they also take a significant toll on mental health and wellness. Recognizing the psychological impact of disasters and providing appropriate mental health support to reduce the risk of depression and anxiety can help individuals and communities recover and rebuild even stronger than before.

Find the nearest Tia Women’s Health Clinic near you that offers mental health services or learn more about Tia membership to access expert care and community support.

Natural disasters, like wildfires, are destructive forces with the power to demolish almost everything in their paths. But people are pretty powerful forces too. They always find a way to rise from the ashes; and to turn the dust of their lives into dreams again.