The role of the natural environment in disaster recovery: “We live here because we love the bush”

Block, Karen; Molyneaux, Robyn; Gibbs, Lisa; Alkemade, Nathan; Baker, Elyse; MacDougall, Colin; Ireton, Greg; Forbes, David

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.03.007

Cited by 27 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Figure 1 is a flowchart summarizing our search process and outcomes. This review found 60 articles that met the inclusion criteria [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of Wildfires on Mental Health: A Scoping Review

Eboreime

Agyapong

2021

Behavioral Sciences

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One of the many consequences of climate change is an increase in the frequency, severity, and, thus, impact of wildfires across the globe. The destruction and loss of one’s home, belongings, and surrounding community, and the threat to personal safety and the safety of loved ones can have significant consequences on survivors’ mental health, which persist for years after. The objective of this scoping review was to identify primary studies examining the impact of wildfires on mental health and to summarize findings for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Literature searches on Pubmed and Embase were conducted in February and April of 2021, respectively, with no date restrictions. A total of 254 studies were found in the two database searches, with 60 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Three other studies were identified and included based on relevant in-text citations during data abstraction. The results show an increased rate of PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety at several times of follow-up post-wildfire, from the subacute phase, to years after. An increased rate of mental health disorders post-wildfire has been found in both the adult and pediatric population, with a number of associated risk factors, the most significant being characteristics of the wildfire trauma itself. Several new terms have arisen in the literature secondary to an increased awareness and understanding of the impact of natural disasters on mental health, including ecological grief, solastalgia, and eco-anxiety. There are a number of patient factors and systemic changes that have been identified post-wildfire that can contribute to resilience and recovery.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Female gender was a statistically significant predictor of receiving mental health services. Block et al [38] 2019 Australia…”

Section: Cross-sectional Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Wildfires on Mental Health: A Scoping Review

Eboreime

Agyapong

2021

Behavioral Sciences

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“…Consistent with cognitive models of depression, increased depressive symptoms during the bushfire period might be explained by feelings of inadequate personal control ( Beck, 2002 ), or an inability to influence final outcomes, as most Australians could not mitigate the threats of the bushfires through action. Indeed, grief and sadness have been previously reported by Australians in responses to the environmental damage caused by bushfires ( Block et al, 2019 ). While depressive symptoms did not increase significantly into the COVID-19 period, they remained elevated, which in combination with the increase in anxiety symptoms indicate a level of sustained psychological distress in the community.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Mental Health Consequences of Adversity in Australia: National Bushfires Associated With Increased Depressive Symptoms, While COVID-19 Pandemic Associated With Increased Symptoms of Anxiety

Arjmand

Seabrook

Bakker³

et al. 2021

Front. Psychol.

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High quality monitoring of mental health and well-being over an extended period is essential to understand how communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and how to best tailor interventions. Multiple community threats may also have cumulative impact on mental health, so examination across several contexts is important. The objective of this study is to report on changes in mental health and well-being in response to the Australian bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized an Experience-Sampling-Method (ESM), using the smartphone-based mood monitoring application, MoodPrism. Participants were prompted once a day to complete a brief survey inquiring about symptoms of depression and anxiety, and several well-being indices, including arousal, emotional valence, self-esteem, motivation, social connectedness, meaning and purpose, and control. Participants were N = 755 Australians (aged 13 years and above) who downloaded and used MoodPrism, between 2018 and 2020. Results showed that anxiety symptoms significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not during the bushfires. This may be explained by concurrent feelings of social connectedness maintained during the bushfires but not during the pandemic. In contrast, depressive symptoms increased significantly during the bushfires, which maintained during the pandemic. Most indices of well-being decreased significantly during the bushfires, and further again during the pandemic. Study findings highlight the unique responses to the bushfire and COVID-19 crises, revealing specific areas of resilience and vulnerability. Such information can help inform the development of public health interventions or individual clinical treatment, to improve treatment approaches and preparedness for potential future community disasters.

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“…Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that mutual reinforcement of public health messages and actions among community members has positive implications for health-related behaviors and compliance with public health directives during pandemics [ 30 ]. Restoring connections to the natural environment will have additional mental health benefits [ 31 ]. Working within existing community social structures and across a broad cross section of the community—with Elders, youth, local faith leaders and community groups—helps to establish respectful and collaborative relationships.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network: Setting a Mental Health Agenda for the Region

Newnham

Dzidic

Mergelsberg

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Addressing the psychological mechanisms and structural inequalities that underpin mental health issues is critical to recovery following disasters and pandemics. The Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network was established in June 2020 in response to the current disaster climate and to foster advancements in disaster-oriented mental health research, practice and policy across the region. Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Thematic Platform for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM), the network brings together leading disaster psychiatry, psychology and public health experts. Our aim is to advance policy, research and targeted translation of the evidence so that communities are better informed in preparation and response to disasters, pandemics and mass trauma. The first meetings of the network resulted in the development of a regional disaster mental health agenda focused on the current context, with five priority areas: (1) Strengthening community engagement and the integration of diverse perspectives in planning, implementing and evaluating mental health and psychosocial response in disasters; (2) Supporting and assessing the capacity of mental health systems to respond to disasters; (3) Optimising emerging technologies in mental healthcare; (4) Understanding and responding appropriately to addressing the mental health impacts of climate change; (5) Prioritising mental health and psychosocial support for high-risk groups. Consideration of these priority areas in future research, practice and policy will support nuanced and effective psychosocial initiatives for disaster-affected populations within the Asia Pacific region.

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The role of the natural environment in disaster recovery: “We live here because we love the bush”

Cited by 27 publications

References 53 publications

The Impact of Wildfires on Mental Health: A Scoping Review

The Impact of Wildfires on Mental Health: A Scoping Review

Mental Health Consequences of Adversity in Australia: National Bushfires Associated With Increased Depressive Symptoms, While COVID-19 Pandemic Associated With Increased Symptoms of Anxiety

The Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network: Setting a Mental Health Agenda for the Region

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