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Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 5/2013

01-09-2013 | Original Article

The Impact of the San Diego Wildfires on a General Mental Health Population Residing in Evacuation Areas

Authors: Steven Tally, Ashley Levack, Andrew J. Sarkin, Todd Gilmer, Erik J. Groessl

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 5/2013

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Abstract

San Diego County Mental Health system clients completed a questionnaire after the October 2007 wildfires. As compared to those not in an evacuation area, those residing in an evacuation area reported significantly more impact of the fires. Clients who evacuated were most affected, followed by those in an evacuation area who did not evacuate. Evacuation strongly impacted client-reported emotional effects of the fire, confusion about whether to evacuate, and ability to obtain medications. Gender and clinical diagnosis interacted with evacuation status for some fire impact variables. Loss of control and disruption of routine are discussed as possibly related factors.
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Metadata
Title
The Impact of the San Diego Wildfires on a General Mental Health Population Residing in Evacuation Areas
Authors
Steven Tally
Ashley Levack
Andrew J. Sarkin
Todd Gilmer
Erik J. Groessl
Publication date
01-09-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-012-0425-9

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