Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
As Los Angeles As it battles the worst wildfires in the city’s history, thousands of people have been displaced or seen their homes burn to the ground.
According to the Associated Press, about 130,000 people were ordered to evacuate and about 10,000 structures were destroyed. At least 10 people have died as a result of the fires.
The devastation of the fires has undoubtedly taken a serious toll on the psyche of those affected, experts agree.
STEVE GUTTENBERG CALLS WILDFIRES ‘GREAT EQUALIZER’, URGES PEOPLE TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER
Fox News Digital spoke with celebrities and mental health experts, who offered the following guidance for those affected.
Acknowledge your feelings
For those who have experienced loss. of the firesCommon reactions include shock, disbelief and confusion, according to David Kessler, a grief counselor in Los Angeles and founder of Grief.com.
“I call it the grief brain,” he told Fox News Digital.
Luke Dexter reacts as he examines the remains of his father’s fire-ravaged beachfront property following the Palisades Fire on January 10, 2025 in Malibu, California (AP Photo/John Locher) (AP Newsroom)
“Your mind is trying to understand what happened, and it’s hard for it to do so, because it’s unimaginable that your home, your safety, is suddenly gone.”
Not all grief is related to death, Kessler noted, as there are many different types of loss.
“I always say that grief is a change we didn’t want, and certainly a fire is a change we didn’t want,” he added.
WHAT IS PTSD? SYMPTOMS THAT MAY ARISE AFTER EXPERIENCING A TRAUMATIC EVENT
It’s important to “self-validate” the reality of the loss, he said.
“People can give you a toxic positivity of, ‘Well, at least no one died,'” he said. “And while that’s true, the reality is that you’ve still lost your home. Don’t let anyone minimize that.”
“The loss of a home is devastating and can take years to recover.”
“I think we’re going to deal with a lot of depression after this, a lot of sadness.”
Actor Steve Gutenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, California, where the fires broke out on Tuesday, shared how the disaster has impacted his own life. mental health.
“I’ve seen so many tragedies in the last three or four days that I have to be careful to…stay calm,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“And I think we’re going to deal with a lot of depression After this, a lot of sadness. And it’s going to be really difficult because this is like nothing you’ve ever seen.”
Actor Steve Gutenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, California, where the fires broke out on Tuesday, shared how the disaster affected his own mental health. (AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images; Fox News)
Gutenberg noted that while it’s “very normal” to be depressed, he’s trying not to let himself “dink into that hole.”
“But I’m quite sad about this,” he added.
HOW TO FACE ‘COLLECTIVE GRIEF’ WHEN A MASSIVE TRAGEDY OCCURS
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., said the pain after the Los Angeles fires is “deep.”
“It’s not just about the physical loss of homes or belongings, but also the sense of security and normalcy that has been lost,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It’s important for people to feel emotions and not ignore them. This is a normal reaction to such overwhelming loss and tragedy.”
Find support
Gutenberg emphasized the importance of maintaining connections with others and gaining community support during a disaster of this magnitude.
“We are social animals; we need people,” he said. “So I’m reaching out to my friends. There’s no way to meet up right now because it’s too dangerous, so the best thing you can do… is call and get in touch and maybe you can drive somewhere.”
Experts agreed that it is essential to avoid isolating yourself after a loss. “We need to be taken care of. We need other people around us.” (AP Newsroom)
Most people in the city have been evacuated, he noted. “There is probably 10% of the population left here. Or less.”
Kessler reiterated that connection is essential after this type of trauma. “We need to be taken care of. We need other people around us. People equal safety,” he said.
“We need other people around us. People equal safety.”
Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church outside Seattle, Washington, agreed that it’s essential to avoid isolating yourself after a loss.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We need God and we need each other. “The community is vital,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Family, friends and neighbors care about you. God sends his love through these people. Refuse isolation. Don’t close yourself off or exclude people.”
Take action
“In times of crisis like this, regaining even small amounts of control can be paralyzing,” Alpert said.
He recommends creating a plan for what’s next, whether it’s finding temporary housing, accessing local resources or beginning the rebuilding process.
“Taking steps, no matter how small, can help you move forward.”
Ben Treger hugs his wife Sarah Treger after finding his grandfather’s watches in the remains of their Pacific Palisades home on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. “If you have survivor’s guilt, I always say it’s best to take action” , one advised by the expert. (Juan Carlo/Imagn)
Kessler agreed, noting that people who are in the area but have not experienced a loss can feel a sense of relief. mixed with guilt.
“If you have survivor’s guilt, I always say it’s best to take action,” he advised.
In the long term, advocacy efforts can be a powerful tool for dealing with trauma, Alpert said.
“Working to improve fire prevention policies, supporting relief efforts or helping neighbors rebuild can provide a sense of purpose and empowerment during this difficult time,” he said.
Some people may be angry about systems that failed to prevent fires in the first place, Alpert acknowledged, and this anger can be a “powerful motivator.”
“Taking steps, no matter how small, can help you move forward.”
“Use that energy to demand better, but don’t get stuck in anger,” he advised.
“By holding leaders accountable for the policies (or lack thereof) that contributed to this devastation, and by asking the right questions and demanding answers, you may begin to feel better.”
Seek professional help as needed.
“Without a doubt, the Los Angeles fires will not only leave physical scars, but also deep emotional scars,” Alpert said.
“For many people, the fear, panic and helplessness experienced during fires do not simply disappear: they persist, creating flashbacks, anxiety and difficulty functioning.”
“For many people, the fear, panic and helplessness experienced during fires do not simply go away: they linger, creating flashbacks, anxiety and difficulty functioning.” (iStock)
In many cases, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of this condition can include vivid memories of the fires, nightmares, hypervigilance or avoidance of anything that reminds someone of the event, Alpert said.
“It’s important to see this not as a weakness, but rather as the way the mind and body try to cope with extreme stress.”
“While the fires were devastating, they do not diminish your strength or your character.”
When seeking help, it’s also important to understand that PTSD doesn’t define you, he added.
“It’s part of your experience, not your identity. While the fires were devastating, they did not diminish your strength or your character.”
Lean on your faith
For those who have experienced traumatic grief, Kessler emphasized the importance of faith and spirituality.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“They help us root ourselves in a world full of fear,” he said. “And when we’ve lost everything, it can seem like our faith It’s the only thing we have to hold on to.”
In times of crisis, Gutenberg said it is important to “trust whatever you believe in.”
César Plaza becomes emotional as he looks at his home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 9, 2025. “It’s easy to become consumed with what you no longer have,” one pastor told Fox News Digital. (AP Photo/Nic Coury) (AP Newsroom)
“If you believe in your mom and dad, you trust them, your brothers and sisters, your friends, your family. God, the universe.”
Above all, he added, “Just remember, you are not alone. God is always with you. Jesus is always with you. You have to hold on to that.”
Find ways to exercise gratitude
In difficult times, it is important to recognize the good things that remain in life, Pastor Bradley said.
“It’s easy to become consumed with what you no longer have,” he told Fox News Digital.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“You should be intentional about taking inventory of the blessings in your life. For example, you may lose a house or a business, but you still have a family.”
This mindset will help you maintain a healthy perspective and protect gratitude, Bradley added.
