‘Am I driving into hell?’: Bushfire survivors in Australia continue to face mental health trauma

TRAUMA FROM EXTREME WEATHER

Like them, many victims of extreme weather events have been left traumatised. 

While they suffered no long-term health problems, they continue to experience psychological effects.

“Prior to that, neither of us had any mental health issues at all. So it wasn’t something we were familiar with,” said Ms Andrews. 

“But we knew we literally had a black cloud over our heads that would intensify at certain times, when you would feel completely overwhelmed and you just couldn’t get out of bed.”

While climate change is driving a serious global impact, some countries are suffering more than others from intense weather systems.

Australia is on the frontline when it comes to the effects of global warming, with floods, droughts and bushfires taking their toll in recent years.

Besides the physical and financial repercussions, mental health problems also pose a challenge to those caught up in these natural disasters.

A recent survey conducted by climate science and impacts organisation Climate Council found that 50 per cent of those interviewed admitted their mental health had been detrimentally affected by intense weather.

“We have had stories of symptoms of anxiety, of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and greater challenges with substance abuse, with relationships,” said Dr Simon Bradshaw, a researcher at the Climate Council. 

“It’s really that whole gamut of symptoms you see when people are put under a lot of duress and that includes exacerbating existing challenges people are having.”