Mental health supports address profound effects of climate emergencies in BC

Aug 7, 2025

Canadian Mental Health Association’s Provincial, Interior and Northern CMHA branches work together to help communities impacted by wildfires, floods

Vancouver, BC – (August 5, 2025): From wildfires and floods to extreme weather events, climate emergencies are increasingly disrupting communities and affecting people’s well-being. To address the profound and lasting mental health impacts of climate-related disasters, the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC) and CMHA branches in the Interior and North  are working closely together to create a network of support.

“Climate emergencies are a growing concern that have lasting impacts on individuals and communities — and unfortunately BC has had many years of experience with their impact,” said Jonny Morris, CEO, CMHA BC Division. “Together, we are working to create meaningful supports for people who are affected, rooted in the local expertise of community branches. We are all independent nonprofit agencies but we are also all CMHAs with shared values. This is a powerful example of what we can achieve as a collective, and we are grateful for the partnership of branches across BC.”

While each community is unique, there are common challenges and needs that arise during and after a climate emergency. By sharing knowledge and having staff at all levels work closely across agencies, this CMHA collaborative is amplifying support for people’s mental health during and after an emergency.

Key initiatives have included:

• Training 32 staff across eight branches on Psychological First Aid, special training on providing 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 the delivery of urgent mental health services in impacted 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 700+ attendees
• Supporting the launch of a survey in the South Cariboo on the impacts of wildfires and extreme weather on mental health
• Coordinating in-person emergency scenario exercises
• Co-developing climate-mental health resources with key partners including the Canadian Red Cross, First Nations Health Authority, Health Emergency Management BC, Salvation Army, and United Way BC
• Working with the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma to inform their new resource on media reporting of and during climate emergencies that does the least harm to media professionals, impacted residents and media consumers

As a collective, the BC Division and branches will continue working to build a more resilient and prepared province, through times of crisis and beyond.

Branch Quotes:

CMHA Cariboo Chilcotin Executive Director, Tereena Donahue 
“Connecting with our partner branches has been a nice reminder of the strength that comes from working together toward a shared goal. Preparing for disasters, especially with the unique needs of vulnerable populations, brings complex challenges and many unknowns. But through shared learning, open dialogue, and the collective wisdom of our CMHA network, we are building stronger, more resilient plans that will benefit all our communities.”

CMHA Kelowna CEO, Mike Gawliuk
“Working alongside CMHA BC and our fellow branches across the province has been a powerful reminder of the strength in unity. Addressing climate-related challenges demands collaboration, and through shared training, workshops, and conversations, we’ve gained not only practical tools but a renewed sense of connection and purpose. Together, we’re creating meaningful, community-driven solutions that prioritize both mental health and climate resilience.”

CMHA Kamloops Executive Director, Alfred Achoba
“It has been inspiring to connect with other CMHA branches and see the innovative ways we are collectively addressing climate-related challenges. The shared learning and collaboration have strengthened our local efforts and deepened our commitment to climate resilience, into our programs more intentionally.”

CMHA Northern B.C. Executive Director, Elaine Laberge
“Climate change is posing unprecedented challenges to mental health in Northern B.C., from the trauma of wildfires and flooding to the isolation wrought by extreme heat. We are deeply grateful to CMHA B.C. Division and CMHA B.C. branches province-wide 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.”

CMHA Vernon & District Director of Strategic Operations, Niki Zelez
“We are no stranger to wildfire, flood and heat domes in the North Okanagan and just the very thought of these climate emergencies can elevate anxiety among residents. We also know that other communities throughout the Interior are experiencing similar situations so it’s important for CMHA branches to come together to ensure the mental wellbeing of our communities is a priority when emergencies occur.”

CMHA Shuswap-Revelstoke Executive Director, Dawn Dunlop
“With strong support from CMHA BC and collaboration across branches, we are tackling the challenges of climate emergencies smarter, stronger, and together—for the resilience and well-being of all our communities.”

CMHA South Cariboo Branch
“Here in the South Cariboo, we’ve seen firsthand how climate emergencies are reshaping our communities, from repeated wildfire seasons to the emotional toll of evacuation alerts, smoke-filled skies, and the long process of recovery. The mental health impacts of these events run deep. We’re incredibly grateful to the CMHA BC Division team for spearheading this important work around climate emergencies and mental health. Their leadership and dedication have been instrumental in pushing this conversation forward and ensuring rural and remote communities like ours are included in the response. Connecting with other CMHA branches across the Interior and Northern parts of the province has been incredibly valuable, not just for knowledge-sharing, but for feeling like we’re not facing these challenges alone. The strength of this network makes us more resilient, more prepared, and more connected to the communities we serve.”

Find a branch near you

Additional Resources:

• Coping with disaster stress
• Emergencies are stressful: What to expect and what can help
• Coping with an environmental emergency
• Covering the news of climate-related disasters: keeping media professionals and the public safe

Direct help for support:

• Free, confidential support and crisis lines available 24/7:
  • BC Mental Health Support Line 310-6789 (no area code required)
  • KUU-US Indigenous line 1-800-588-8717
  • 988.ca 9-8-8
  • 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

About CMHA BC Division:

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is Canada’s most established mental health charity and the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health. CMHA BC Division, together with a network of local CMHA branches, accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research, and service delivery related to mental health, substance use in locations across the province. Resources are available on numerous topic areas such as children, youth, parenting, workplace, alcohol, and other drugs, finding help, and improving mental wellness. CMHA provides vital programs and services to individuals and communities, striving to create a society free from stigma and discrimination against mental illness and substance use.

Media Contact:

604-353-8159 | media@cmha.bc.ca | www.cmha.bc.ca