In the wake of catastrophic events, the psychological toll on affected communities often lingers long after the physical devastation has been addressed. The recent fires in Lahaina, Maui, serve as a poignant example of this phenomenon.
As Janice Dapitan poignantly articulated during her counseling session, emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger, and depression have become daily companions for many residents.
The destruction wrought by the fires not only claimed lives but also obliterated homes, memories, and a sense of belonging, leaving a trail of grief and trauma in its wake.
As we explore the mental health challenges faced by the survivors of this disaster, it becomes evident that restoring mental wellness is as crucial as rebuilding infrastructure.
The fires that swept through Lahaina resulted in profound losses for countless families. Janice Dapitan’s narrative encapsulates the multifaceted grief experienced by many: the loss of her uncle, the destruction of her family’s homes, and the displacement of her daughter and grandchildren.
For Janice and her husband, Kalani, the survival of their own home serves as a bittersweet reminder of their precarious situation. The view from their residence, overlooking the burn zone, is a constant source of pain and anxiety.
As Janice notes, “Every day is a different challenge.” The unpredictability of their emotions underscores the complexity of trauma recovery, which often oscillates between moments of relative peace and overwhelming distress.
The emotional landscape of Maui’s residents is marked by shared experiences of loss and survival. An estimated 1,500 families have been forced to leave the island, grappling with the daunting task of starting anew in unfamiliar territories.
This mass displacement not only disrupts lives but also severs the deep-rooted connections to community and culture that define the Hawaiian identity.
The guilt of survival looms large, complicating the grieving process for those who remain. As experts point out, the psychological scars of such disasters can be as enduring as the physical destruction, necessitating a comprehensive approach to healing that transcends traditional therapeutic methods.
In the aftermath of the fires, innovative approaches to mental health care have emerged, highlighting the importance of community connections and alternative healing modalities.
One such initiative is the equine-assisted therapy program at Spirit Horse Ranch. This program offers participants a unique opportunity to engage with horses, which can serve as powerful conduits for emotional healing.
Janice’s experience with Maverick, a Tennessee Walker, illustrates the profound impact of this connection. The act of brushing the horse and leaning on its sturdy frame provided her with a sense of solace and validation, elements that are often elusive in traditional therapy settings.
The therapeutic potential of horses lies in their ability to mirror human emotions and provide non-judgmental companionship.
As Paige DePonte, the program’s founder, notes, horses exist in a state of coherence, offering a calming presence that can facilitate emotional processing.
This is particularly valuable for individuals grappling with trauma, as the animals create a safe space for vulnerability and self-expression.
The gentle interactions with horses can help participants confront their feelings in a manner that feels less intimidating than conventional therapeutic approaches.
Moreover, the quiet isolation of the ranch offers a sanctuary for reflection and healing. Kalani Dapitan’s experience underscores the importance of environment in the recovery process.
The tranquil setting allowed him to confront his emotions in a supportive atmosphere, breaking down the walls that often shield individuals from their pain.
The therapeutic landscape of Spirit Horse Ranch not only fosters individual healing but also encourages communal bonding, as participants share their stories and support one another in their journeys toward recovery.
The broader implications of mental health recovery following disasters extend beyond individual experiences. As cognitive scientist Jolie Wills emphasizes, the focus on restoring mental wellness must be an integral part of disaster recovery efforts.
The tendency to prioritize physical reconstruction can inadvertently neglect the emotional needs of survivors, leading to long-term psychological ramifications.
It is essential for policymakers and mental health professionals to recognize that healing is a multifaceted process that requires time, resources, and a commitment to fostering community resilience.
In the wake of the devastating fire that swept through the region on August 8, 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 102 lives and displacing approximately 12,000 individuals, the imperative for comprehensive support services has become increasingly evident.
Among the myriad of therapeutic initiatives developed in response to this calamity, holistic programs that incorporate the healing power of animals, specifically horses, have emerged as particularly effective in addressing the complex emotional and psychological needs of survivors.
Dapitan, who had commenced therapy prior to the disaster to address a previous trauma, expressed a profound sense of transformation following her experiences at the ranch; she noted, “I think I got the most out of the horses in two days versus the year that I’ve been having regular counseling.”
This assertion underscores the unique and powerful connection that individuals can establish with animals, which often facilitates a more profound and immediate therapeutic impact compared to traditional counseling methods.
Tia Hartsock, the director of Hawaii’s office of wellness and resilience, further emphasized the significant ramifications that such traumatic events have on mental health, stating, “It’s been a pretty significant impact on people’s mental health.”
Survivors are not only grappling with the emotional fallout of losing their homes and loved ones, but they are also enduring the stress and uncertainty that accompanies the disruption of their daily lives, including frequent relocations to hotel rooms, changes in educational institutions for their children, and the loss of stable income.
Hartsock articulated the additional strain placed upon these individuals as they navigate the often convoluted bureaucratic systems designed to provide assistance, all while in a heightened state of trauma.
The collaboration of innovative therapies, like those involving horses, has proven to be vital in promoting healing through connection, offering a sense of solace and support amid an otherwise tumultuous and uncertain environment.
In the aftermath of the devastating fire that swept through Lahaina, a comprehensive survey conducted by the Hawaii Department of Health revealed alarming mental health trends among affected families, with nearly three-quarters of respondents indicating that at least one member of their household had experienced feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or depression in the two weeks following the disaster.
This distressing statistic was further corroborated by a subsequent survey from the University of Hawaii, which indicated that over half of the survivors and one-third of all Maui residents reported experiencing depressive symptoms six months post-event.
Such reactions, as noted by mental health professionals like Wills, are considered “very normal reactions to a very abnormal situation,” underscoring the profound psychological impact of large-scale disasters.
In response to this burgeoning mental health crisis, a collaborative effort involving healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic entities, and governmental agencies has emerged, aimed at dismantling barriers to mental health treatment.
Initiatives included subsidizing therapy sessions and ensuring the presence of mental health practitioners at shelters and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) events.
However, it became apparent that clinical support alone would not suffice for all residents, as articulated by Justina Acevedo-Cross, senior program manager at the Hawaii Community Foundation, who emphasized the necessity for alternative avenues of support.
Consequently, numerous public and private funding sources have been directed toward programs that foster reconnection with both the land and community, a process that Hartsock describes as “unbelievably helpful in the healing.”
Many of these initiatives are deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian healing traditions, with cultural practitioners from Hui Ho’omalu providing lomilomi, or Hawaiian massage, which often transitions into kukakuka—meaning deep conversation—with trained mental health support providers.
Additionally, impacted families engage in activities such as maintaining taro patches, restoring native plants, and participating in cultural classes on protected lands managed by Ka’ehu.
For individuals like Aviva Libitsky, who has grappled with anxiety since losing her home of over a decade, these activities serve as a vital source of solace and purpose.
Libitsky and her son Nakana regularly volunteer, removing invasive snails from kalo pools and cleaning the shoreline, finding that their efforts help channel their emotional turmoil into constructive actions.
As they partake in cultural workshops, learning skills such as weaving bracelets from hala leaves, they focus on creating new memories and opportunities.
As Maui approaches the second year of recovery, mental health providers are bracing for a new influx of individuals seeking assistance, particularly as the last families transition from temporary hotel accommodations to interim housing.
This shift, while necessary, may elicit a resurgence of emotions as individuals confront the stark reality of their circumstances, as noted by Acevedo-Cross, who remarked that the newfound stillness allows residents to process their feelings more deeply.
Moreover, the repercussions of the disaster extend beyond those directly affected, as rising rents, dwindling tourism jobs, and the exodus of friends and family members contribute to a pervasive sense of instability.
For many, true healing may remain elusive until Lahaina is rebuilt, and the community can reclaim a semblance of normalcy.
Kalani Dapitan poignantly expressed the profound loss felt by many, stating, “We don’t have a hometown anymore,” highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the future of Lahaina, particularly from the perspective of Native Hawaiians concerned about the preservation of their cultural identity.
In the face of such uncertainty, moments spent at Spirit Horse Ranch offer a reprieve, allowing families like the Dapitans to remain anchored in the present.
At the conclusion of a therapeutic session, one participant encapsulated her experience simply by writing “Relaxed” on a whiteboard, a testament to the healing power of community and connection amidst ongoing challenges.