4FRONT
CLIMATE CHANGE
AFTER THE FIRE
The lasting impact of wildfire .
BY MALINDA DANZIGER ’ 00
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Natural disasters have always been part of human history , but the frequency and intensity of natural disasters have been accelerated by climate change , and in the wake of that , we ’ re finding exaggerated mental health symptoms ,” says Jyoti Mishra , PhD ’ 08 , MBA ’ 22 , associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine .
Climate trauma is an emerging challenge . It is already well-documented that extreme climate events result in significant psychological impacts . Warming temperatures , for example , have even been linked to greater suicide rates . As planetary warming amplifies , more forest fires are expected in California and globally , with significant implications for mental health effects .
Mishra and colleagues from California State University , Chico studied the mental health impacts of the 2018 Camp Fire , California ’ s deadliest and most destructive fire to date . They found that direct exposure to large-scale fires significantly increases people ’ s risk for mental health disorders , particularly post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) and depression . Further , even witnessing such a disaster within one ’ s community can significantly affect people .
By quantifying the mental health impacts of large-scale disasters , the climate trauma experienced by a community can be better understood .
Using electroencephalography , the research revealed increased activity in the regions of the brain involved in cognitive control and interference processing , or the ability to cope with unwanted and often disturbing thoughts .
“ To function well day to day , our brains need to process information and manage memories in ways that help achieve goals while ignoring or dispensing with irrelevant or harmful distractions ,” says Mishra .
PTSD was three times more prevalent in populations exposed to the fire than in the nonexposed , general population . “ We see a very hyperaroused brain system , which tends to happen when one feels like they ’ re in constant threat mode ,” she says . “ In this traumatic state , it makes it very difficult to go about day-to-day things in an attentive and focused way .”
“ We ’ re still observing these brain responses six months to a year after the wildfires , which means there are longer-term impacts on this population ,” she says .
While FEMA and other organizations serve the physical needs of those affected by natural disasters , Mishra and her colleagues are working with community partners on ways to help build mental health resilience in impacted areas .
The aim of interventions , including eco-mindfulness therapeutics , environmental stewardship and environmental restoration , is to help individuals restore a positive emotional connection with the environments where they live .
Mental Health : Jyoti Mishra , PhD ’ 08 , MBA ’ 22 , studies the lasting psychological impacts of natural disasters .
UC SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE 15