Some of the Los Angeles wildfires may be waning, but in their aftermath, emotional and mental health concerns are growing.
That’s true for people experiencing the trauma of devastation and loss firsthand, as well as those following the news from a distance, said Rabbi Jason Weiner, PhD, senior rabbi at Cedars-Sinai and director of the Spiritual Care Department.
“This tragedy reminds us all of our vulnerability,” he said.
Itai Danovitch, MD, chair of the medical center’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, said feeling distress and anxiety right now is normal, as is feeling numb or disconnected from emotions.
“There is no one-size-fits-all response to the challenges we’re facing, and adapting to stress can take time, but it helps to pinpoint specific sources of worry,” Danovitch said. “Is there nervousness about the safety of loved ones or a home? Is it the long-term impact on the community or uncertainty about air quality? Knowing this can help manage anxiety in a constructive way.”
Among anxiety management tactics are maintaining daily routines and self-care while staying connected with supportive people, getting adequate rest and exercise and practicing relaxation or meditation exercises.
“It also can help to make sure you’re getting information from trustworthy sources to help avoid unnecessary fear,” Danovitch said. “Plan ahead for potential future evacuations and manage exposure to news and social media.”
Is it Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Negative thoughts, sleep or concentration problems, social withdrawal or intensified and persistent symptoms of despair that interfere with daily functioning could signal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“A therapist who specializes in trauma treatment, along with medications and participating in support groups and psychotherapy, can be beneficial,” Danovitch said. “Some people may develop PTSD and others won’t, but all emotional responses deserve care and attention.”
The National Center for PTSD can provide guidance for immediate coping strategies and long-term recovery.
Feeling Seen and Heard
Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center Chaplain Carrie Kohler, MPhil, BCC, can personally relate to hospital patients and staff struggling with grief and uncertainty. She navigated those same complex emotions after evacuating her home during the wildfires.
“Some people are grappling with survivor’s guilt or a sense of helplessness as they try to support loved ones,” Kohler said. “For others, there are practical and logistical questions – how to file an insurance claim or get transportation to a Disaster Recovery Center. Social disparities, such as language barriers, physical disabilities or compromised health, can make already difficult tasks more challenging. It can all feel very overwhelming.”
Kohler said listening and validating experiences is critical in providing support.
“Comfort and hope are created when people feel seen and heard, and that can be simply sitting with someone in their pain without rushing to fix it,” she said. “Hope isn’t about erasing pain or pretending everything will be fine; it’s about making space for all emotions and respecting individual experiences.”
Empathy from Afar
Those who live miles away may also feel distraught. Danovitch said that’s human nature – and it may be especially true for people who once lived in Los Angeles because the fires conjure nostalgia as well as loss.
“Former Angelenos often have deep relationships, memories and connections to the area,” he said. “Seeing those threatened can heighten feelings of longing and attachment.”
Kohler agreed. “It might even reignite memories of your own past challenges in LA, blending past and present grief,” she said. “For people without a direct connection, the fires may evoke a generalized empathy or compassion. These are normal emotions and feelings.”
Helping Children
For parents of kids who have experienced the fires, listening is key, said Suzanne Silverstein, MA, founding director of Cedars-Sinai Share & Care and a registered art therapist.
“Hear what they’re saying,” Silverstein said. “Instead of talking atthem, validate their feelings by acknowledging that it’s scary, hard, or sad. Reassure them that they are OK as a family and will get through this together.”
Art for young children can be a beneficial coping mechanism: Children can draw things they miss or items they would have gotten out of their home if they’d had the chance. Very young children may be better able to express feelings through play – using dolls or stuffed animals to act out scenarios and discuss emotions or building forts with sheets and pillows to create a “safe space.”
“When adults can provide a safe emotional space for the child to take the lead in creative play, children will naturally work through difficult emotions without having to verbalize their feelings directly,” said Rebecca Hedrick, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Cedars-Sinai. “It helps them feel some control and be able to process grief.
“Older kids may benefit from a daily ritual of saying five things that they’re sad about, five things they’re worried or angry about, five things they’re grateful for, and five things they’re looking forward to.”
The Path Forward
Patience, compassion and faith in a better future are values to uphold in this time of crisis, the experts agreed.
“Take time to stop and mourn, and then address things one day at a time, one minute at a time,” Weiner said. “We shouldn’t try to do it all on our own – we need community now more than ever. I’ve been very moved by our community’s resilience.”
Cedars-Sinai Christian Chaplain, the Rev. Peggy Kelley, said she often has witnessed that “out of chaos comes creation,” and added, “This moment in time will bring healing restoration, new depths of compassion, profound lessons and growth.”
Kohler noted that spirituality can serve as an anchor to help make sense of what can feel senseless.
“Faith doesn’t erase pain,” Kohler said, “but it can provide a way to hold that pain while moving toward healing. We’re all in this together, and whether it’s in shared grief, acts of kindness or the effort to rebuild, this experience has deepened my appreciation for community. By holding space for grief and recovery, we transform collective trauma into collective renewal.”