A University of Victoria researcher is calling for more mental health support for firefighters and victims of wildfires ahead of what could be another severe fire season in B.C.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 time to start the conversation about what the ongoing impact of climate change and wildfires is doing to people, emotionally and mentally,害羞草研究所� said Ashley Berard, a PhD candidate in the Sociology Department, in a news release.

Berard, who is studying the social impact of natural disasters, will present findings and recommendations at the upcoming Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Montreal starting 12 June.

After speaking with people who live in small rural communities and cities such as Lytton and Kamloops, she said she consistently uncovered heightened feelings of anxiety and depression, an overwhelming sense of grief and loss, and increased stress related to possible physical effects of smoke inhalation.

At the congress, Berard, along with 30 B.C. residents with lived experience of wildfires, will demonstrate what happens to people and communities when they live with the constant threat of a wildfire, and share ideas for targeting programming and supports to help them cope.

害羞草研究所淭here are people who害羞草研究所檝e lost everything and are still living in a state of trauma and there doesn害羞草研究所檛 seem to be a clear resource path for them to get help,害羞草研究所� said Berard, noting that of all the people she interviewed, only one person said they were seeking support through counselling. 害羞草研究所淭hese are people who either have, or are prepared to, flee for their lives at a moment害羞草研究所檚 notice and it害羞草研究所檚 difficult for some of them to talk about their experiences,害羞草研究所� she said in the release.

As one of the biggest academic conferences in the country, Congress 2024 will aim to be a platform for the unveiling of thousands of research papers and presentations from social sciences and humanities experts worldwide.

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