Cumulative trauma from multiple natural disasters increases mental health burden on residents of Fort McMurray

Abstract

Background Fort McMurray, a city in northern Alberta, Canada, has experienced multiple traumatic events in the last five years, including the 2016 wildfire, the 2020 floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Traumatic events often lead to increased mental health burdens in affected communities. Objective To assess if the number of traumatic events experienced by residents of Fort McMurray correlates with the prevalence and severity of mental health issues experienced. Methodology A cross-sectional study using an online survey questionnaire was used to gather demographic, trauma (wildfire, flooding, and COVID-19), and clinical information from the resident of Fort McMurray between April 24 to June 2 2021. Likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and low resilience were measured using standardised rating scales. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 26 using Chi-Square tests and multivariate regression analysis. Results Respondents who experienced COVID-19 and either flood or wildfire traumas ( N = 101) were eleven times more likely to have GAD symptoms (OR: 11.39; 95% CI: 1.43–91.04), four times more likely to have likely MDD, (OR: 3.85; 95% CI: .995–14.90), ten times more likely to have likely PTSD (OR: 10.47; 95% CI: 1.28–85.67), and low resilience (OR: 10.56; 95% CI: 1.21–92.17). Respondents who experienced COVID-19, flooding, and wildfire traumas ( N = 47) were eighteen times more likely to express GAD symptoms (OR: 18.30; 95% CI: 2.20–152.45) and more than eleven times likely to have likely PTSD (OR: 11.41; 95% CI: 1.34–97.37) in comparison to the respondents who experienced COVID-19 only trauma ( N = 19). Conclusion Measures to reduce climate change and associated natural disasters could reduce the impact of cumulative trauma and associated mental health burden in vulnerable populations. It is essential that more mental health resources are mobilised to support communities impacted by multiple natural disasters. HIGHLIGHTS The number of traumatic disasters experienced in residents of Fort McMurray five years after the 2016 wildfires, a year after the 2020 flooding, and during the COVID-19 pandemic correlates with the prevalence and severity of the mental health conditions reported in this study.

Self-Reported Alcohol Abuse and the Desire to Receive Mental Health Counselling Predict Suicidal Thoughts/Thoughts of Self-Harm among Female Residents of Fort McMurray

“…A recent study in Fort McMurray reported that participants who experienced COVID-19, flooding, and wildfire traumas were four times more likely to have likely MDD, eleven times likely to have probable PTSD and eighteen times more likely to express GAD symptoms in comparison to the respondents who experienced COVID-19-only trauma [ 27 ]. Exposure to trauma increases the likelihood of PTSD, MDD and GAD, which invariably may increase the risk of suicidal ideation.…”

Prevalence and correlates of cannabis abuse among residents in the community of Fort McMurray, a city in Northern Alberta which had endured multiple natural disasters

“…Evidence from the literature suggests the possibility that people with previous experience of serial traumatic events can build resilience as a result of post traumatic adaptation ( 59 ). While this phenomenon may potentially partly explain the lack of association found between trauma and self-reported cannabis abuse in Fort McMurray, our recent study suggests that Fort McMurray residents experienced a decline in resilience following these traumatic events ( 26 ). Conceivably, such induced low resilience may result in learned helplessness where residents coping mechanisms are diminished ( 60 ), including the (ab)use of cannabis or utilization of therapeutic interventions.…”

“…Other studies have focused on the exposure to traumatic events and the usage of substances (e.g., cannabis) leading to substance abuse (23)(24)(25). Fort McMurray residents have been exposed to various traumatic events including wildfire, flooding and the recent global pandemic which may lead to cannabis usage (26)(27)(28)(29). A study by Agyapong et al reported that participants in a cross-sectional study were more likely to abuse substances after the wildfire in Fort McMurray (24).…”

Latent profiles of psychological status among populations cumulatively exposed to a flood and the recurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic in China

“…Overall, cumulative exposure to a natural disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to exacerbate vulnerability to mental health difficulties. A previous study has found that people who have experienced both the COVID-19 pandemic and either floods or wildfires are more likely to have anxiety, depression and PTSD than those who have experienced only the COVID-19 pandemic [ 18 ]. Given that the onset of flooding and the lockdown in Zhengzhou occurred with a mere interval of eleven days, individuals there may not have fully recovered from flood-related disruptions when faced with the pandemic.…”