Mental Health Issues Imposed by California Fires

The California fires, Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Altadena and several more have ravaged approximately 40,000 acres of land as of Jan 21. With over 10,000 houses burnt. With an estimated 28,600 people rendered homeless using the average household median being 2.8 people. The mental health hotline calls have increased 5 fold since the fires have taken the homes of 28,600 people. With the fires being contained on the 31st, much damage lies in its wake.

With the influx of homeless people, which leads to rent prices skyrocketing. So with their houses burnt down, & quick housing being exorbitantly expensive, people are trying to take advantage of the fires, and are only making already terrible lives worse.

For many Angelenos, the loss of personal possessions have been lost due to the fires, which only exacerbates the degrading mental state of the victims of the fire. Pets, valuables, mementos, heirlooms. Losing a treasured item can lead to depression.

Natural disasters can leave a long lasting impact on its victims psychologically. It varies from disasters to wildfires. Trauma can be induced by flames afterward, in the form of anxiety, distress, or any form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

People have been donating essential goods. Food, water, clothing, blankets, out of their own goodwill, and volunteering to work for mental health hotlines to combat the mental health issues that citizens have been affected by the fire.