Abstract
ObjectivesTo assess the likely prevalence rates of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in staff of Fort McMurray School Districts eighteen months after a May 2016 wildfire, and to determine possible predictors.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional survey was used to collect data through self-administered online questionnaires to determine likely MDD, GAD and PTSD using well validated self-report questionnaires.ResultsOf 1,446 staff who were sent the online survey link in an e-mail, 197 completed the survey, of which there were 168 females (85%) and 29 males (15%). The one-month prevalence rates for likely MDD, GAD and PTSD among the school staff were 18.3, 15.7 and 10.2% respectively. There were statistically significant associations between multiple socio-demographic and clinical variables likely MDD, GAD and PTSD among respondents.ConclusionKnowledge of key factors for MDD, GAD and PTSD may be helpful for policy makers when formulating population level social and clinical programs, to mitigate the mental health effects of future natural disasters.
Highlights
On May 3rd, 2016, a wildfire caused the mandatory emergency evacuation of 90,000 Fort McMurray residents, with almost no warning
It shows that 18 months after the wildfire, the two-week prevalence rates for likely major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the school staff were 18.3, 15.7 and 10.2% respectively, all relatively increased
Findings from the present study indicate relatively increased rates of MDD, GAD, PTSD, with comorbid problematic alcohol and drug use compared to self-report of these conditions before the fire
Summary
On May 3rd, 2016, a wildfire caused the mandatory emergency evacuation of 90,000 Fort McMurray residents, with almost no warning. Extinguished after 15 months, the estimated cost of this fire has reached $10 billion CDN, with that number expected to continue climbing until 2026 [4]. Declared the most expensive natural disaster in Canadian history, insurance providers have so far paid out a total of $3.7 billion CDN [4, 5]. No deaths are directly attributed to the wildfire, during the evacuation two teenagers were killed in a motor vehicle collision [6]. This is remarkable, given that many individuals were driving through sheets of flame, and similar fires have claimed large numbers of lives, such as the 2018 Camp fire in California [7]
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