2025 LA Wildfires and Why Your Mental Health Matters

At press, more than 12,000 homes, local businesses, and other structures have been destroyed by the Los Angeles Country wildfires of 2025. More than 105,000 residents have had to evacuate their properties, with thousands to remain displaced for the foreseeable future.

On top of homes, cherished possessions, livelihoods, and loved ones lost, a deep dark hole has been dug into the psyche of those involved. It goes without saying that any person and household displaced by the wildfires could use mental health support. It’s mission critical, in fact, which is why Kindbridge is temporarily offering FREE virtual counseling to residents in impacted communities. From residents of Altadena and Eaton to Pacific Palisades and Malibu, counselors are available to anyone experiencing LA fire mental health challenges such as grief, loss, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Our counselors are also experts in treating unhealthy behaviors that residents may turn to in an attempt to cope with negative emotions. If you are among those displaced by the fires book your FREE counseling session by clicking/tapping the banner below (select “Trauma Support Services”).

While we hope that everyone affected will use this service, we recognize that many will not, at least not without encouragement. This lag is steeped in a variety of issues, from not allowing oneself the time for self-care in addition to unfortunate stigmas that persist during events of this nature. For this reason we have compiled a summary of who else, in addition to the average resident of evacuated zones, should be more mindful of why they (YOU) need support too. Please keep reading!

Who Else Needs to Seek Mental Health Support After the LA County Fires of 2025


First Responders

Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders, we understand that you may be working 12 to 24-hour shifts (maybe more). However, you must absolutely take time to focus on your mental health. The likelihood that you’ve already witnessed or experienced trauma during the LA fires comes with an increased likelihood of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression which may contribute to or cooccur with a number of behavioral health concerns. Consequently, we do not recommend putting off treatment for after the literal and proverbial ashes have settled.

You may not have the time to see someone in-person, but you can connect to a counselor online or by phone to look after yourself in the midst of taking care of everyone else. View more on firefighter mental health which involves more than PTSD (and applies to all first responders) and book your FREE counseling session (select “Trauma Support Services”):

LA Wildfires Mental Health 2025 - Help

Self-Invalidating Higher Income Homeowners

Your feelings and emotions matter just as much as anyone’s, even if you are in a financial position to comfortably relocate and rebuild your life and home. But if you feel that you don’t deserve to express great sadness, nor reach out for help, please note that this rationalization is a form as self-invalidation.

Self-invalidation is a term used to describe when someone minimizes their feelings and emotions. While there are a variety of reasons for why this occurs, it is a characteristic found among certain so-called “privileged” members of society who are in a higher income class during times of widespread crisis. A number of residents who lost their homes and businesses in Pacific Palisades and Malibu land in this category.

While we can certainly appreciate any statements made about how this population segment’s hearts and prayers go out to those most financially impacted by the LA fires, please recognize that your loss matters too. Further, you have probably witnessed (maybe experienced) how higher income households are facing harassment on social networks for expressing personal sorrows when questioned by the media about losses sustained in the fires. This is a form of abuse that may make you feel as if what you’re feeling isn’t valid. This can demotivate you to seek much needed mental health support. Don’t let that happen. Your feelings and emotions at this trying time in addition to the weeks, months, and years to come are as valid as an other member of society.

Family Members and Loved Ones

Do you have a close family member of other loved one who has been directly affected by the LA wildfires? Your concern for them may manifest with symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, possibly more so if they are now depending upon you for support. In providing this support, please be mindful of your own mental/behavioral wellbeing.

Witnesses (in-person and virtual)

Have you witnessed the LA fires firsthand, even if not located in an evacuation zone? Have you seen the flames, inhaled the scent of smoke, and awoken to find ash on your lawn and vehicle? As an LA County resident/visitor and witness to the wildfires you may have experienced a wave of emotions that are negatively impacting your behavior. This too calls for support from a qualified counselor, although “bearing witness” doesn’t stop there.

We live in a digital world where the media incessantly bombards the populous with news of disaster, disease, political instability, social unrest, and war. They even had the country thinking that a drone alien invasion was underway during this past Holiday season. This nonstop coverage of chaos is compromising the mental health of all who witness it, including those who only do so from digital screens. This is no exaggeration. A 2002 study on a sample of more than 2,200 adults found a 4.3% prevalence of PTSD associated with hours of television coverage of 9/11. Similar studies regarding other tragic national events have found relatively the same. If you have noticed elevated symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression, anger, irritability, hostility, and/or problematic behaviors coinciding with exposure to coverage of the LA fires, do not be afraid to reach out for help.


Remember, displaced residents and first responders qualify for a FREE virtual counseling session with Kindbridge Behavioral Health. Others will also benefit from insurance coverage and direct billing in addition to affordable counseling subscription options.

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LA Wildfires Mental Health 2025 - Help