Water Health Educator
Water Health Educator
Promoting advocacy for access to clean water
Issues USA: National
Mental Health Impact of Wildfires
by Najma Omar Abikar
Wildfires are one the most devastating natural disasters, leaving behind destruction that goes beyond the physical landscape. While much attention is given to the loss of homes, the psychological toll on communities is often overlooked. Survivors of wildfires may experience emotional distress, anxiety, and trauma, and for many, these effects do not simply leave once the flames are extinguished.
After a wildfire, people commonly experience shock and fear, struggling to process the devastation around them. The sudden loss of homes, personal belongings, and even loved ones can lead to overwhelming sadness and grief. Many survivors also face sleep issues, with nightmares and racing thoughts preventing them from getting proper rest.
According to Bryant et al. (2018), people exposed to wildfires are at an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly those who were forced to evacuate under life-threatening conditions. This trauma can manifest in flashbacks, severe anxiety, and an avoidance of anything that reminds them of the disaster.
Other than PTSD, depression is another significant issue among wildfire survivors. The loss of stability, financial insecurity, and the uncertainty of rebuilding can leave individuals feeling hopeless. A study by Felix et al. (2020) found that those affected by natural disasters are more likely to experience prolonged depressive symptoms, especially if they lack strong social support networks. Some people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, as a way to numb their pain. Pfefferbaum et al. (2014) highlights that disaster survivors often develop alcohol or drug dependencies as they struggle to deal with emotional distress.
It is not just the direct victims of wildfires who suffer. First responders, including firefighters, also experience serious mental health effects. They often work in extreme conditions, witnessing destruction, injuries, and loss of life firsthand. Over time, chronic stress and repeated exposure to traumatic events can lead to burnout and emotional exhaustion. Research by Stanley et al. (2018) shows that suicide rates among firefighters are significantly higher than in the general population, largely due to the intense psychological burden of their work.
On a broader scale, entire communities affected by wildfires face collective trauma. Displacement, economic instability, and environmental changes create long-term stress, and the emotional impact of seeing a once-thriving area reduced to ashes can be profound. Rebuilding efforts may take years, and without strong community support systems, the psychological scars of the disaster can linger indefinitely.
Recovering from the mental health impact of wildfires requires a combination of individual and community efforts. Access to professional mental health services, such as counseling and trauma-focused therapy, is essential for helping survivors process their experiences. Watson et al. (2011) emphasize that early psychological intervention, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can significantly reduce long-term trauma symptoms. Community support groups also play a crucial role in the healing process, as they provide a space for individuals to share their experiences and find comfort in knowing they are not alone. Additionally, practicing mindfulness techniques, engaging in stress-relief activities, and participating in preparedness programs can help individuals regain a sense of control over their lives.
Wildfires do not just burn forests and buildings, they leave lasting emotional scars on the people they affect. The mental health consequences can be as devastating as the physical destruction, but with the right support systems in place, recovery is possible. Recognizing the psychological impact of wildfires is just as important as rebuilding homes and infrastructure, ensuring that survivors and first responders receive the care they need to heal and move forward.
Bryant, R. A., Gibbs, L., Gallagher, H. C., Pattison, P., Lusher, D., MacDougall, C., ... & Forbes, D. (2018). Longitudinal study of changing psychological outcomes following the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(6), 542-551. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0004867417714337
Felix, E. D., Afifi, W. A., et al. (2020). "Disaster and depression: Examining the role of resilience, social support, and coping strategies." Journal of Traumatic Stress, 33(2), 208-216. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jts.22597
Pfefferbaum, B., North, C. S., et al. (2014). "Mental health and disaster: Research and clinical implications." The New England Journal of Medicine, 370(6), 510-512. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1109671
Norris, F. H., Friedman, M. J., Watson, P. J., et al. (2002). "60,000 disaster victims speak: Part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981–2001." Psychiatry, 65(3), 207-239. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1521/psyc.65.3.207.20173
Stanley, I. H., Boffa, J. W., Hom, M. A., et al. (2018). "Firefighter suicide: Understanding cultural challenges for mental health professionals." Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 49(2), 83-91. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/pro0000193
Watson, P. J., Brymer, M. J., Bonanno, G. A., et al. (2011). "Early psychological intervention following disaster: Current evidence and future directions." Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 341-363. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032210-104526
U.S. Water Pollution Basics
By Shannyn Snyder
Water scarcity is often misunderstood as meaning a lack of access to water – any water. However, when plentiful and available water sources become polluted, the issue becomes one of quality not quantity.
Water pollution is the invasion of pollutants into any body of water two different means: point and non-point sources. Point sources are those pollutants that come from a single, recognizable source, such as chemicals dumped through a drainage pipe or a specific landfill. Non-point sources are pollutants that may not be traceable to any one particular source, but a collection of pollutants that collectively cause contamination. These sources are many, from sewage from households, nutrients from agriculture, radioactive waste and oil from industry, as well as biological sediment that builds in lakes, rivers and streams.
U.S. waterways were not always in their current compromised state. Streams that flowed through the natural filtration of rocks were likely suitable for pre-colonial domestic and agricultural use, with acceptable potability for drinking, cooking and bathing. As populations of immigrants boomed across the nation, however, healthy water resources became increasingly polluted from both dumping and runoff of all types of waste. These practices have led to an overall decline in the quality of America’s waters as urban sprawl continues to reach out to even the most pristine areas of the nation.
In addition to man-made pollutants, violent storms and natural disasters are also a threat. These disasters are thought to be on the rise due to climate change and cause dust and other pollutants to travel through the air settle on water resources. Water main breaks and catchment overflow may also compromise filtered, potable water, forcing consumers to find other sources of safe water.
Although Congress established a preliminary regulation in 1948 to control pollutants in water, the Clean Water Act of 1977 became the formal water pollution control program for the U.S. Overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, this Act motivated the quality assessment of the nation’s rivers, lakes and streams. According to Anne Nadakavuraren in Our Global Environment, in 1998 the EPA reported that 40% of America’s waterways were too polluted for fishing or swimming. The EPA has also found that national trends for pollutant indicators for all types of waterways, such as fresh water, wetlands and ocean areas, are on the rise.
Fortunately for the U.S., there has also been some increase in some environmental efforts to improve these waters. Furthermore, the EPA also overseas the safety of municipal water through the Safe Drinking Water Act, ensuring that most of the nation has access to potable water. However, the trend towards water privatization of purer mountain waters for bottling companies and the overtapping of large river bodies to accommodate urban growth may mean that the nation may never get ahead of the decline, which is also exacerbated by climate. Since most pollutants are human-made, the most significant improvements in water quality will need to begin with heightened industrial regulation and changes in domestic sanitation practices.
water treatment plant
Wastewater Management in the United States
By Katherine Sentlinger
Wastewater comes from many places. It is essentially water that has been used by homes, communities, industries, farms etc. and may contain harmful contaminants such as “metals, organic pollutants, sediment, bacteria and viruses.” (Wastewater, EPA). This makes the use of wastewater management an essential part in both environmental and public health. Wastewater management is a means of “monitoring the amount of wastes--whether it be fecal matter or chemicals--that go into our water resources to keep quality at acceptable levels” (Huebsche) and finding the best way to dispose of it.
In the United States today, wastewater management is overseen on both the state and federal levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the organization at the federal level that works with other water sanitation plants on the state level to ensure proper water sanitation and that wastewater is managed properly all over the country. Wastewater management was not always regulated in this way in the United States.
Before the mid 19 century, the most common form of wastewater management in the United States was done through decentralized systems. Decentralized wastewater management means that the “wastewater is primarily treated or disposed of on-site or near the source”(Burian, et al). This did not pose a problem before the early 19 century as there was not a very dense population in the United States at the time.
As the population in the United States increased, however, the need for new methods of wastewater management became apparent. The decentralized systems were causing health problems and disease in the more populated areas. The more common method eventually shifted from the decentralized methods to centralized methods. In centralized systems, such as public sewer systems, “all the wastewater is collected and conveyed to a conveyed to a central location for treatment or disposal” (Burian, et al). The centralized method helped with water sanitation and to prevent the spreading of disease particularly in the growing urban populations. Although centralized wastewater treatments are the most common form of wastewater management, decentralized methods are still used in less populated areas of the United States. According to the EPA “over 75 percent of the nation’s population is served by centralized wastewater collection and treatment systems. The remaining population uses septic or other onsite systems.” (EPA).
In 1948, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act was passed as people began to realize the importance of wastewater management and sanitation. In the 1970s, the act was reorganized and amended and renamed the "Clean Water Act".
According to the EPA, “the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters.” (Summary of the CWA) This law and its amendments have significantly increased the efficiency of wastewater management quality of water sanitation in the United States.
Wastewater management has come a long way in the United States since its beginnings. With the growing population, it is essential that we remember the importance of wastewater management and water sanitation and keep working to create better ways in which to regulate it.