The Impact of the San Diego Wildfires on a General Mental Health Population Residing in Evacuation Areas
- Abstract
San Diego County Mental Health system clients completed a questionnaire after the October 2007 wildfires. As compared to those not in an evacuation area, those residing in an evacuation area reported significantly more impact of the fires. Clients who evacuated were most affected, followed by those in an evacuation area who did not evacuate. Evacuation strongly impacted client-reported emotional effects of the fire, confusion about whether to evacuate, and ability to obtain medications. Gender and clinical diagnosis interacted with evacuation status for some fire impact variables. Loss of control and disruption of routine are discussed as possibly related factors.
- Resource Type
- Peer-reviewed article
- Authors
- Steven Tally Ashley Levack Andrew J. Sarkin Todd Gilmer Erik J. Groessl
- Resource URL
- http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10488-012-0425-9
- Publication
- Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 348-354
- Date
- Sept 2013
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10488-012-0425-9
- ISSN
- 0894-587X, 1573-3289
- Health and Human Impact
- Mental health
- Climate and Environmental Impact
- Wildfires