Research Shows Impact on Mental Health from Fires in Hawaii and Los Angeles

• Research has revealed a significant toll on mental health from fires.
• In Hawaii, the suicide rate increased by 97% during the fires.
• Nearly 40% of people reported a decline in mental health after the fires.

New York — The impact on mental health from fires is typically assessed by the number of destroyed properties, loss of life, and injuries. However, three new studies published recently indicate that the impact on mental health for individuals from the fires in Hawaii and Los Angeles was considerably greater.

Two of the studies examine the aftermath of the fires in Hawaii in September 2023, one of the deadliest fires in the U.S. in recent history. The third study relates to the fires in Los Angeles that occurred earlier this year.

The fires in Hawaii have directly caused more than 100 deaths. However, according to new data, one in five residents suffered mental health injuries, and up to 50% experienced symptoms of depression. In the month of the fires, 13 instances of suicide and attempted suicide were recorded, which is more than twice the normal rate.

The research on the fires in Los Angeles showed that in addition to more than 30 deaths associated with the flames, nearly 400 additional deaths may have been linked to these events through medical complications and other factors.

The results of the research, published in two journals of the American Medical Association, provide important information regarding the risks to mental health from extreme climatic events. They emphasize that the damage from fires may be more toxic than ordinary environmental pollution.

One of the studies, co-authored by Ruben Juarez of the University of Hawaii, surveyed more than 1,100 adults over 6-14 months following the fires in Hawaii. It was found that 22% of participants had lower functional levels of mental health in areas with high impact.

The research also found that 40% of respondents reported a decline in mental health after the fires, while nearly half reported increased anxiety, weakness, emotional distress, and symptoms related to depression.

In the research conducted at New York University, a 97% increase in the suicide rate and attempted suicide in Hawaii was recorded in the month of the fires. The total number of such deaths during this period was 13, the majority of which were instances of suicide. This is a significant increase that also occurred on other islands.

The third study, conducted by forensic researchers, indicated that between January 5 and February 1 in the vicinity of Los Angeles, 440 additional deaths related to fires were recorded.

Tags: USA/Well-being/Research