LOS ANGELES - Marylandian -- The devastating fires that have swept through Los Angeles and Southern California have left a profound impact. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR), a mental health industry watchdog headquartered in Hollywood, is concerned that such tragedies can often lead to a surge in prescriptions for psychotropic drugs, which can be dangerous to mental health. CCHR is advocating for a focus on resilience—demonstrated in the inspiring stories of those affected by the fires—and physical aid given to those affected, rather than reliance on mind-altering medications. The group highlights the overwhelming response from Angelenos and many others who have come to the city's aid during the recovery and emphasizes the importance of accessing services that provide essential physical support and resources.[1] Additionally, CCHR suggests that California's $6.4 billion "mental health" tax on millionaires could be redirected toward helping rebuild homes or provide other services, particularly for elderly residents and families with children who may have lost uninsured properties. This would be in addition to other government-available funds for the thousands of heartbroken families and individuals impacted by the fires.

A 2024 study analyzed psychotropic prescription data from seven million people over eight years following 25 major wildfires on the West Coast.[2] It found an increase in prescriptions for antidepressants, anxiety drugs, and mood stabilizers in the six weeks after the fires.[3] Zachary Wettstein, M.D., with the University of Washington, and Ambarish Vaidyanathan, Ph.D., with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), compared prescriptions in fire-affected counties before and after the fires using commercial insurance data from 2011 to 2018. They found a statistically significant increase in psychotropics, which was greater among women than men.[4]

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, often promoted as treatments for mental health, can take advantage of people's natural vulnerabilities—typically normal responses to disasters and the devastation wreaked by them. These drugs can carry long-term risks, with some, such as benzodiazepines, also known as anti-anxiety drugs, potentially becoming addictive within weeks of taking them. American Family Physician reported, "Withdrawal symptoms are possible after only one month of daily use."[5]

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Prolonged use of antidepressants is widely recognized as a cause of withdrawal symptoms, signaling potential drug dependence or addiction. A 2019 review of 14 studies found that between 27% and 86% of patients experienced discontinuation symptoms, with a weighted average of 56%.[6] The adverse effects include anxiety, "sometimes in intense 'surges,'" rapidly changing moods, anger, and suicidal thoughts, according to a warning from the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists.[7] Even while taking these drugs, there is a risk of experiencing or worsening the very issues they are intended to treat, such as anxiety, suicidal behavior, mania, sleep problems, and depression.[8]

CCHR, which protected its building and museum during the recent Hollywood fires, offers free booklets on psychotropic drug risks at its Sunset Boulevard location. It also provides an easily searchable database on the side effects of psychiatric drugs, helping individuals become better informed. Additionally, there is a resource page for those seeking guidance on medically supervised drug withdrawal or those looking for alternatives to psychiatric drugs.[9]

Reflecting further on people's resilience, Richard Bryant, a professor of psychology at the University of New South Wales, who studied the impact of Australia's devasting Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, found that 82% of people remained resilient. Approximately 400 fires were recorded across Victoria, with 173 deaths. Bryant stated, "Several years following the Black Saturday bushfires the majority of affected people demonstrated resilience without indications of psychological distress." There was a minority requiring services for persistent problems. Further: "We know that time and time again over every disaster, including previous pandemics, most people will end up being resilient."[10]

This was also seen following the 9/11 attacks in New York in 2001. Mental health professionals predicted that one in four New Yorkers would suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, the tents established to deliver mental health services remained largely empty, and only half of the $200 million set aside for mental health help was spent.[11]

Resilience and financial resources are essential during the reconstruction process and there is already a tremendous outpouring of help. As one headline aptly put it, "Los Angeles Fires: A City's Resilience in the Face of Nature's Fury."[12] In this challenging time, CCHR encourages individuals to seek both medical and non-harmful alternatives to psychiatric drugs, emphasizing standard medical care that does not define and label trauma and loss from natural disasters with a psychiatric diagnosis. It also urges people to seek resources and services that address distress without relying on or requiring mind-altering psychiatric drugs.

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CCHR was founded by the Church of Scientology and the late professor of psychiatry Thomas Szasz in 1969. Based in Los Angeles, it has spearheaded a global campaign to protect individuals from coercive psychiatric practices, helping to obtain hundreds of laws to safeguard human rights in the field of mental health.

Sources:

[1] www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-11/los-angeles-fires-volunteers

[2] www.axios.com/2025/01/12/california-wildfires-loss-mental-health

[3] www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/03/06/wildfires-mental-health-west-oregon-california-washington

[4] www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires

[5] Brian Johnson, M.D. and Jon Streltzer, M.D., "Risks Associated with Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use," American Family Physician, 2013;88(4):224-225, www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/0815/p224.html

[6] www.cchrint.org/2023/03/20/watchdog-says-studies-prove-antidepressant-withdrawal/ames Davies and John Read, "A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based?" Addictive Behaviors, 97 (2019), p. 111, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460318308347?via%3Dihub

[7] www.cchrint.org/2021/04/06/antidepressant-withdrawal-warning-vital/ citing www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/stopping-antidepressants

[8] www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/antidepressantsideeffects/

[9] www.cchrint.org/alternatives/

[10] www.cchrint.org/2020/05/29/resilience-not-mind-altering-psychotropic-drugs-is-better-at-facing-covid-19/, "Blitz Spirit: Fortunately for the COVID-19 generation, history suggests we often rebound from mass trauma events," The Australian, 25 May 2020, www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/covid-health-crisis-trauma-could-be-overstated/news-story/a6146f9449f3748d1e21c2d1f11ad310; www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires; knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/bushfire-black-saturday-victoria-2009/; pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24852323/

[11] www.cchrint.org/2020/05/29/resilience-not-mind-altering-psychotropic-drugs-is-better-at-facing-covid-19/, "Blitz Spirit: Fortunately for the COVID-19 generation, history suggests we often rebound from mass trauma events," The Australian, 25 May 2020, www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/covid-health-crisis-trauma-could-be-overstated/news-story/a6146f9449f3748d1e21c2d1f11ad310

[12] au.headtopics.com/news/los-angeles-fires-a-city-s-resilience-in-the-face-of-64552990