Name: Survivors of California wildfires face a mental toll
Uploaded: 2025-01-17T22:25:47.073Z
Duration: 3 min 32 s
Description: Many Americans reeling from the wildfires that devastated parts of the Los Angeles area may have to cope with mental health burdens from the disaster. Dr. David Eisenman, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, joins CBS News with advice.

Many Americans reeling from the wildfires that devastated parts of the Los Angeles area may have to cope with mental health burdens from the disaster. Dr. David Eisenman, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, joins CBS News with advice.

Los Angeles

More than a thousand structures have been destroyed and lives lost as wildfires sweep across parts of Los Angeles.

LA Wildfires

Crews in Southern California have made progress in controlling the wildfires impacting the Los Angeles area, aided by a break in strong winds and cooler temperatures. The Palisades Fire, the largest of the current fires, is approximately one-third contained. In northern Los Angeles County, the Eaton Fire has achieved 65% containment, and the smaller Otto Fire in Ventura County is 85% contained. Despite these advancements, the fires are exerting a significant mental toll on residents.

Dr. David Eisenman, a professor of medicine and public health at the University of California, Los Angeles, shared insights into the mental health challenges faced by those affected. He noted that while most individuals manage well after such disasters, there is a rise in depression, anxiety, and potential post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Eisenman emphasized the importance of accessing mental health services if individuals experience difficulties in functioning, disruptions in daily activities, or isolation from social circles.

A range of services is available to those impacted, with organizations such as the Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles and the United Way offering assistance. Dr. Eisenman recommends staying away from social media, which he described as toxic under the current circumstances, and encourages community involvement, such as volunteering, to foster a sense of control and connection.



Survivors of California wildfires face a mental toll

Crews in Southern California have made more progress in controlling the deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area thanks to a break in the strong winds and cooler temperatures. Palisades Fire, which is the largest one burning right now, is about a third contained as of this afternoon. In the northern part of the county, the Eaton Fire has reached 65% containment. The smaller Otto Fire in Ventura County is about 85% contained. Of course, we know the fires are taking a huge mental toll on residents, and some experts say the trauma of this event could linger as people start the rebuilding and recovery process. For more on this, I wanna bring in Dr. David Eisenman. He is a professor of medicine and public health at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Eisenman is also the director of the University Center for Public Health and Disasters. Doctor, so good to have you. What are your biggest concerns long-term regarding people's mental health during all this? Well, the truth is after fires like this, most people do okay, but then we do see a rise of depression and anxiety and even possibility post-traumatic stress disorder. So I do get concerned that people will not access mental health services or have difficulty accessing mental health services if they feel distressed, if they're feeling depressed or anxious, or even feeling kind of the somatic problems in their body, not sure what it is that might be symptoms of depression or anxiety. How do you know when some of it may just be normal because your community is burning down and when something may require something more serious like a diagnosis and mental health services? Well, when you're starting to feel that your problems are getting in the way of your functioning, are you having trouble working? Are you getting into more fights at home? Are you unable to enjoy the things that normally bring you enjoyment? Are you isolating from friends? Are you having trouble sleeping at night? Sometimes you'll find that people go to their primary care doctor first to deal with this. And then primary care doctor may not ask about depression or anxiety. They may not ask if you were a survivor of the fire or deeply affected by the fire. So it's important to bring that up too and let them know that, because that might be, that'll signal to them that they need to ask about these mental and behavioral and emotional consequences. What services are available to people? There are services through a range of organizations, Department of Mental Health here in Los Angeles, United Way, there are crisis hotlines. It's really, there are many services right now. If people go online, they can find them. UCLA is offering services as are other health systems. And I have about 30 seconds left with you. What is your advice to people who may be struggling in this time? Well, two pieces of advice. One, stay off social media. Right now, it's just toxic with people who don't live in Los Angeles, using it as a platform for their political opinions. And two, make yourself actually feel better by getting involved in some way. What I did is I just dropped off groceries at a center collecting them and just going into the grocery store, picking them up, going across the street and dropping them off and connecting to the volunteers there made me feel like a real member, a helpful member of the community. It was very easy. I didn't need to sign up. And it gave me. Like you actually have control over something. Exactly, Dr. David Eisenman, thank you for your time and your advice.

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LA Wildfires