In wake of the fires devastating Southern California, advice from local mental health experts and support staff from trauma clinics is available in Malibu.
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Emergency Outreach Bureau has opened a bureau in Malibu to treat victims and first responders to the fire this week. Free information and counseling services are available at a DMH Local Assistance Center Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. The center can be found at Bluffs Park Recreation Center, with more information available at 800.854.7771.
The center should be open for “at least a week,” said County DMH spokesman Ken Kondo, but times and days may vary.
But as family therapists in Malibu pointed out, the trauma of escaping a firestorm or watching your home and all your belongings go up in flames is not necessarily something so quick and easy to treat.
“Adults can get through things rationally, but it can be different for children,” parenting advisor and family therapist Susan Stiffelman said. “While kids are adaptable, it typically takes longer for the reality of tragedy to sink in … you might see them acting out in a month or so.”
When dealing with a child or adolescent recovering from the events of last week, Stiffelman advises parents to be alert and to tread lightly.
“Don’t presume your kid has any specific feeling,” she said. “But encourage them to talk. My favorite words are ‘tell me more.’ While you don’t want to feed their fears or promote attention-getting behavior, a simple ‘What is this like for you?’ goes far. Even in classrooms, it’s important for kids to talk intelligently about this issue under the guidance of a managing adult.”
Stiffelman emphasized that positive reinforcement of their actions empowers children who might still be fearful or anxious.
“I would suggest complimenting your child for the great way they might have helped in the evacuation. Something like, ‘Wow, you were really good about packing up your stuff and getting your backpack together. Thank you for helping me ’cause I couldn’t have done it without you.'”
For residents who were spared damage but don’t know what to say to neighbors who weren’t so lucky, Stiffelman advises to be very specific in offers of help. “Be clear about what you can offer,” she said. “Babysitting, food, toys, pet care, an extra bedroom? These can all be helpful. But sometimes, just offering a chance to talk it out with someone familiar is what is needed.”
Stiffelman is setting aside several hours a week for the next month to offer free private counseling to Malibu families who might have suffered loss, on a first come, first serve basis.
Dr. Annie Thiel has run a family therapy practice in Malibu for more than 35 years and has seen Malibu suffer fires, mud slides and other natural disasters.
“We are so resilient as human beings,” she said. “But that being said, a fire like this can trigger mental disorders like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in people who might have a pre-existing problem. Kids are particularly subject to stress longer after the physical danger has passed and it might be too early for the signs to show up.”
Thiel said that indications of PTSD in children and adults include trouble sleeping, low energy, lack of appetite, feelings of depression, hopelessness and fearfulness, reoccurring thoughts or nightmares, not being able to focus on daily activities and avoiding places where the fire was prominent.
“Stress can also have different faces in children of different ages,” Thiel said. “Children under five may show separation anxiety and regressive behavior. Children six to 11 can show withdrawal; disruptive behavior like fighting or unsourced ailments like stomach aches.
“Adolescents can respond similarly to adults with flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, depression, substance abuse and anti-social behavior. Let’s face it, adolescents are already stressed enough.”
Thiel counsels allowing children to act out their anxieties, encourage them to voice their feelings and assume a gradual return to routine. “Right now is a time for families to stick together and spend a lot of reassuring family time together,” she said.
Most importantly, Thiel said, “Parents must take care of themselves so they can take care of their kids. There are a lot of community resources here to help you.”
County spokesman Kondo also said that, while some people might feel uncomfortable consulting a therapist, other sources of stress relief can be found in practicing yoga, athletics or going to church. “And don’t underestimate the psychic power of a long walk on the beach,” he said.
Thiel can be reached at 310.457.7606. Stiffelman can be reached at 310.589.7020.