Coping with disaster stress

Smoke, evacuations, loss, worry—BC’s wildfires affect us all. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, you are not alone. Here are some things you can do:

• Connect with CMHA – Reach out to your local CMHA branch. Many branches offer services to help you take care and feel less alone.
• Prepare – Having a clear emergency plan and kit ready for your family, pets, and livestock can ease your mind and allow you to focus on other needs.
• Take care – Stress takes a toll on our physical and mental health. Eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep lowers stress and helps us cope.
• Ask for help – Talking helps. Whether it’s with family, friends, a doctor or counsellor. Crisis lines are available to listen and help anytime—not just during a crisis. If you have been evacuated, you can also ask an Emergency Support Services volunteer about the mental health or counselling support available to you.
• Help others – Reach out to the vulnerable. Assisting others can help us regain a sense of purpose and community as we confront challenges together.

Helpful links and resources

Preparing for wildfires

• Get prepared for a wildfire in BC (Government of BC)

Health and mental health resources

• Emergencies are stressful: What to expect and what can help
• Coping with an environmental emergency – mental health tips for you and your family
• Recognizing and addressing trauma and anxiety during wildfire season (First Nations Health Authority)
• Recognizing and resolving trauma in children during disasters (First Nations Health Authority)
• Disaster emotional response timeline – what to expect before, during and after a disaster
• Your health during a wildfire (Government of BC)
• Wildfire smoke and health (BC Centre for Disease Control)
• Guidebook for Well-being in Recovery (Red Cross)
• Mental health toolkit for emergencies and disasters (Canadian Emergency Response Psychosocial Support Network)

Direct help for support

• Free, confidential support and crisis lines available 24/7:
  • BC Mental Health Support Line 310-6789 (no area code required)
  • KUU-US Indigenous line 1-800-588-8717
  • 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
• Find virtual mental health supports available in BC
• BounceBack – a free skill-building program for overcoming low mood, anxiety stress or worry
• Find your local Canadian Mental Health Association