An increased risk of traumatic fires this Summer, could trigger life-threatening mental health concerns for Illawarra residents, according to a local psychologist.
The warning comes after the BoM announced a high chance of El Niño developing this year, alongside dry weather and bushfires.
Illawarra Psychologist, Doctor Samantha Reis said another dangerous fire season could act as a trigger for a community mental health collapse, and that after years of uncertainty, Illawarra residents are ill-prepared to face yet another period of stress.
“It’s a bit like the perfect storm of factors in terms of people’s mental health being quite low, plus the increased risk of natural disasters being identified by the Bureau of Meteorology,” Dr Reis said.
Over three thousand Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers from the Illawarra fought during Black Summer according to politician Stephen Jones, and Dr Reis said that it left an impact.
“It seemed people who had direct exposure to the fires tended to have a greater incidence of post traumatic stress,” she said.
“I do think fires this year would probably be a very triggering experience, and it might take people back to the summer of 2020.”
Ryan Cole, previously an RFS volunteer, said this fire season will be challenging for volunteers.
“I definitely think the RFS volunteers will be affected mentally this season,” he said.
A BoM video explaining the effects of El Niño on Australia’s Climate
These nerve-racking conditions come as local mental health services struggle to support thirty-two thousand people in the region suffering from a long-term mental health condition, according to the 2021 census.
Nicole Robinson, a former Wollongong resident and survivor of Black Summer said even small changes in the weather can trigger her anxiety after she lost her house in 2020.
“Weather patterns are a major trigger after living through the fires and that weather pattern like I did,” Ms Robinson said.
“Even right now, if the days get windy I get a bit of anxiety and sometimes have little panic attacks, so any news on any upcoming weather patterns that could potentially have any devastation I can’t watch.”
Despite the increased rainfall due to last year’s La Niña, the Australian Climate Council warned that the growth in vegetation has created tinderbox conditions for the upcoming Summer.
Dr Reis said that this weather event could push many Wollongong residents over the edge.
“For the population, following that kind of natural disaster there’s been a greater incidence of anxiety, depression and personality disorders,” she said.
To keep track of El Niño’s status, head to the official BoM website for fortnightly updates.
