Living on the lot while waiting to rebuild (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, July 29, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to strengthen mental health services for communities affected by the Eaton Fire.
By News Desk
The initiative, led by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, focuses on long-term emotional recovery for residents in the San Gabriel foothill region.
The motion instructs County departments to identify properties and infrastructure that can be repurposed to offer trauma-informed mental health and recovery services. It also calls for targeted data collection on local mental health needs and increased collaboration between service providers and available facilities through the County’s Business to Business Space Share program.
“Now that we’re past the six-month mark, the grief, stress, and mental health challenges brought on by the Eaton Fire remain very real,” said Supervisor Barger. “Recovery can be a long journey, so it’s important that we continue to mobilize the County’s resources to support emotional healing and community resilience.”
Echoing the importance of mental health in disaster recovery, Supervisor Horvath added, “Six months after the devastating January wildfires, young people and families are working hard to regain a sense of stability and healing. Mental health is just as vital to recovery as bricks and mortar.”
The Department of Mental Health, along with other relevant agencies, has been tasked with reporting back to the Board within 30 days. Their report will include a list of viable properties and an assessment of the region’s mental health needs to guide the rollout of expanded services.
The motion positions mental health care as a cornerstone of disaster recovery efforts, emphasizing the need to create accessible, supportive spaces for residents rebuilding their lives after the fire.
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