The wildfires in Maui have created a significant mental health crisis, with residents grappling with trauma and loss.
The big picture: The wildfires in Maui have led to significant physical and emotional damage, with residents experiencing symptoms from deep sadness to breakdowns.
* Many who had to flee the flames now face wrenching anxiety, nightmares, depression, and anger as the trauma settles in.
* Mental health administrator, John Oliver, calls it “the worst mental health disaster in our state’s modern history.”
* There are also physical challenges for survivors, such as finding living arrangements in the coming weeks and months.
On-the-ground efforts: Trained mental health professionals are providing critical support to those affected.
* They’re offering psychological first aid in these early days.
* Professionals like social worker Debbie Scott and American Red Cross disaster mental health manager Stu Coulson are providing comfort and care, from listening empathy to connecting people with services.
* Tools used for therapy range from breathing exercises and mindfulness practices to therapy animals.
Government response: Hawaii’s government is making efforts to address the crisis.
* State and federal officials are working to bring in more mental health clinicians.
* The governor has issued an emergency order temporarily waiving the state-licensing requirement for counseling.
The Long Road: Given the magnitude of the disaster, the mental health aftermath is expected to persist.
* Counselors predict that fire survivors will be dealing with their mental wounds for a long time.
* Psychotherapist Annie Vance, who lost her home in the wildfire, says “we’ll help each other get through this.”
This summary was created by an AI system. The use of this summary is subject to our Terms of Service.
Leave a Reply