As first responders across the nation headed to the fire-ravaged small Hawaiian island of Maui focused on halting the devastation, psychological experts were bracing for an aftermath of another kind.
According to studies, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common mental health disorder following natural disasters, with a prevalence of 30% to 40%.
Ian Stanley, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and psychological health lead for the CU Anschutz Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research, has treated both victims and first responders following natural disasters and says it’s imperative to understand the significant mental health toll these events can take. He says Maui’s recovery will be even more challenging than other disasters with the number of mental health resources that will be needed for an already under-resourced and remote area.
Below, Laura Kelley, media relations professional in the CU Anschutz Office of Communications, speaks with Stanley about how first responders can care for themselves and their colleagues while assisting in recovery efforts. He also shares how people who have been through similar traumas can minimize triggers as they watch the tragedy of the Maui wildfires unfold in the media.