Mental Health

Extreme weather and climate disasters can impact our mental health. Common examples of these mental health impacts include stress, depression, sense of loss, post-traumatic stress disorder and strains on social relationships, particularly for children and youth.  It is important to know where to turn to for help!

Where to Get Help?

• Emotional Support Se​​rvices (CalHOPE) Warmline​: Peer counseling for stress, anxiety, depression or worry. Call or text 833-317 HOPE (4673).
  

• Immediate Crisis Support Disaster Distress Helpline: 24/7 multilingual crisis counseling for emotional distress related to natural to human-caused disasters. Call or text: 1-800-985-5990.
  

• 988 Lifeline: 24/7 confidential support for mental health crises, thoughts of suicide, or substance use issues. Call or text: 988.
  

• Friendship Line California: 24/7 support for Californians aged 60+ to connect with someone ready to provide emotional support and a listening ear. Call: 1-888-670-1360.
  

• BrightLife Kids: Free and confidential personalized mental health coaching and support for parents, caregivers, and kids ages zero to 12.

• Soluna: Free and confidential support for 13 to 25-year-olds, including one-on-one chats with professional coaches, free-writing journals, de-stressing tools, and more.

• Listos CA: Simple steps for protecting your mental well-being and helping others do the same.

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:  A climate change and youth mental health resource center.
  

• American Psychiatric Association: Education on how climate change affects mental health and how to talk to children about eco-anxiety.
  

For Professionals

• Mental Health and Our Changing Climate, 2021 Edition | ecoAmerica:  A comprehensive resource --developed by the American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica—that explores how climate change affects mental health, worsens existing inequities, and highlights strategies to build resilience and accelerate climate solutions that support psychological wellbeing.

• Mental Health and Our Changing Climate Ch​ildren and Youth Report 2023 (PDF, 2.3MB): This report summarizes research and guidance on the mental health impacts of climate change on young people, aiming to empower professionals, advocates, policymakers, and families with accessible insights and actionable responses.

• Extreme Heat Can Take a Toll on Mental Health | American Psychiatric Association: This article highlights that new research adds to the evidence on heat exposure and mental health.

• Climate Psychology Alliance: The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) fosters Climate Crisis Awareness in the psychological professions. There are three main CPD offerings.

• Through the Door workshops are for psychological professionals to expand their vision of work to include the climate crisis

• Climate-aware clinical practice events are clinically focused sessions for members of CPA including those providing Therapeutic Support

• Training to run Climate Cafés
  

Extreme Weather, Environmental Disasters and Other Impacts

Extreme Heat

• Heat Ready CA | CA Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications​: Extreme heat awareness and outreach campaign, resources in multiple languages
  

• Extreme Heat Guidance for Local Health Jurisdictions and Community Service Providers | CDPH
  

• Extreme Heat Guidance for Schools on Sports and Strenuous Activities | CDPH
  

• Extreme Heat | CDPH
  

• Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

Wildfires and Wildfire Smoke

Preparedness

• ​Ready for Wildfire | CAL FIRE:  includes information on wildfire preparedness, creating defensible space, ​​home hardening, ​creating a personal or family wildfire action plan​, when to evacuate, and more​
  

• Wildfires | CDPH​

• Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation | CAL FIRE
  

• Fire Hazard Severity Zones | CAL FIRE
  

• Wildfire Risk to Communities | U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)​ Forest Service
  

Smoke

• Wildfire Smoke: Considerations for California’s Public Health Officials | CDPH (PDF, 17.8MB)​
  

• Wildfires and Wildfire Smoke Resources | Western Stat​es Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units: includes information on how smoke affects childrens’ health, guidance for children and mask use, and more

• Protecting Workers from Wildfire Smoke | CDPH
  

• Protecting Communities from Wildfire Smo​ke Resources | CA Air Resources Board (CARB) and CDPH (PDF)
  

• Wildfires and Wildfire Smoke | CARB
  

• Smoke Ready CA | CARB
  

• Choosing​ a Safe, Effective and Affordable Air Cle​a​ner | Public Health Institute (PHI)
  

• Guidance for Schools During Wildfire Smoke Events​ | CA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment​ (OEHHA) (PDF)​
  

• Get Smart about Wildfire Smoke: Clear Guidelines ​for Schools and Wildfire Smoke | CA Department of Education (CDE) (PDF)
  

• Preparing for Wildfire Smoke Events | PHI: includes factsheets for ​“Protecting Kids from Wildfire Smoke: Actions for Schools,” and “Helping Clients with Asthma Prepare for Wildfire Smoke Events: Tips for Asthma Educators”​
  

Air Quality

• AirNow | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and partners
  

• Introduction to Community Air Protection | CARB
  

• Air Quality Section | CDPH​
  

• Air Quality | CDE​
  

• Indoor Air | CARB
  

• When and Why to Wear a Mask or Respirator | CDPH:  includes information on ​​the benefits of masking and tips for choosing the right mask

Power Shut-Offs

• Guidance during Power Outages | CDPH
  

• Public Safety Power Shutoffs: Resource Guide | California Health and H​uman Services​ (CalHHS)
  

• Power Outage Preparedness: H​ow Californians Can Get Ready | CA Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

• ​Public Safety Power Shutoff Events | CalOES