With the disastrous effects of climate emergencies constantly at the forefront of conversations in the North, many — including the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) — are hoping to address a less often discussed consequence: the psychological toll.
“Climate change is posing unprecedented challenges to mental health in Northern BC — from the trauma of wildfires and flooding to the isolation wrought by extreme heat,” said CMHA of Northern BC executive director Elaine Laberge. “We are deeply grateful to CMHA BC Division and CMHA branches provincewide for standing shoulder to shoulder with us — combining our expertise and resources to strengthen emergency service continuity plans, build climate-resilient programming, and deliver rapid, culturally safe support to those who need it most. Together, we are ensuring our communities remain resilient today and for generations to come.”
Many people who have lost their homes to fires or floods must face the stress and anxiety of displacement — grieving homes and even loved ones — all while relocating and rebuilding their lives.
The CMHA BC Division and CMHA branches in the Interior and North have recently joined efforts to provide training and support across the region, preparing staff to deal with the psychological consequences of climate-related disasters in the North.
CMHA climate-disaster support initiatives include:
- Training 32 staff across eight branches in Psychological First Aid — specialized training in emotional support during a disaster
- Coordinating Canadian Red Cross business continuity workshops for three branches to enhance service resilience during emergencies
- Supporting five CMHA branches in accessing post-disaster recovery grants, enabling delivery of urgent mental health services in communities including Princeton, Merritt, Quesnel, 100 Mile House, Prince George and Williams Lake
- Delivering six provincial presentations on the mental health impacts of climate-related emergencies — reaching more than 700 attendees
- Launching a survey in the South Cariboo on the mental health impacts of wildfires and extreme weather
- Coordinating in-person emergency scenario exercises
- Co-developing climate-mental health resources with partners such as the Canadian Red Cross, First Nations Health Authority, Health Emergency Management BC, the Salvation Army and United Way BC
Laberge spoke to The Citizen about the unique role Prince George plays in the North — especially when it comes to both the practical and psychological aspects of climate disaster recovery.
“Prince George is the hub of the North,” said Laberge. “People are forced to migrate here when there are fires in other areas. One of the things that we’re deeply concerned about at CMHA of Northern BC is what would happen if something happened in Prince George. That’s a big, huge concern because, as the hub of the North, that would have far-reaching implications.
“We’re concerned as folks with living and lived experience — what would it mean to them? And what would it mean to ensure that we had a service continuity plan in place? Not just to be prepared for emergencies, but to be prepared for what happens after the emergency.”
Laberge is a passionate advocate for these initiatives, having seen the deep mental health impacts of climate disasters firsthand.
“We can’t pretend that we aren’t in a climate emergency,” she said. “It’s there all the time. When I was doing my PhD and writing my dissertation, Lytton literally burned to the ground. That’s not a fluke. The floods in the Delta aren’t just happenstance.
“I know that, when I talk to folks and they see smoke in the air — or they smell heavy smoke — a lot of folks feel panic. Because it’s no longer like when I was young, when there were fires and things, but nothing on these catastrophic levels. And you turn on the news and, across Manitoba, entire communities are being displaced.”
Laberge also described how the new initiatives and training are already making a difference in real-world emergency planning.
“We get to share knowledge and resources — that’s the really critical piece and why I say we’re standing shoulder to shoulder,” said Laberge. “For instance, I’m thinking about one of our housing units. If we had an emergency in Prince George, what would we do for the folks living with schizophrenia? What would we do to ensure they are safely relocated with minimal disruption?
“Schizophrenia is very, very serious — disruptions can be really problematic. The Red Cross has been amazing in supporting nonprofits during emergencies. That’s how we got to start our clinical program in Quesnel — through Red Cross support.”
She added that increased focus on service continuity planning means that, if disaster strikes a region supported by CMHA, workers can continue to get paid and vulnerable populations — including those in transitional housing or facing food insecurity — can still receive support.
Laberge also highlighted the importance of the Red Cross in providing free workshops and climate-mental health resources to CMHA branches across the North.
“The North is a massive place with unique needs — both during disasters and in everyday life,” she said. “I want people in the North to know there are supports in place if they face the worst-case scenario.”
“I know what being displaced from home and community is like,” said Laberge. “How that can wreak havoc on your mental health. It’s the uncertainty — the scariness of it all — which is why people need support. They need to know resources are available. They need to know it isn’t just one small branch trying to look after everything.
“BC Division is well aware that Northern BC is vast. The geography alone makes it impossible for one association to plan and care for everything on its own. That’s why we need our network of branches — and the support of BC Division.”
Laberge shared two key mental health resources for people facing climate disasters:
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Crisis Prevention, Intervention & Information Centre: (250) 564-5736
