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New support group helps survivors process the devastation of Eaton and Palisades Fires
Altadena residents pour water onto neighbors' property.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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What to know
It’s been more than six months since the devastating fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
As thousands of people work to rebuild, a new support group is available to help process the grief that will linger long after the reconstruction begins.
Allison Williams is still evacuated from her home in Altadena. Her main house is standing but other parts of her property burned.
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A new support group for survivors processing the devastation of Eaton and Palisades Fires
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Now she’s stepping in to facilitate monthly support groups through the National Alliance on Mental Illness San Gabriel Valley.
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Courtesy NAMI San Gabriel Valley
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Williams said attendees can expect to get help dealing with trauma and “engage in conversations with people who get them, who can understand because they’ve been through it themselves.”
“A lot of people feel alone ... And just to talk with other people who are impacted is comforting,” Williams said.
The first meeting was attended by 16 people on Zoom. Williams said the plan is to continue the group for at least a year.
She said many survivors feel isolated in the day-to-day, especially as they settle into communities that are getting back to normal life even as Altadena and Pacific Palisades remain decimated.
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“It’s still real and it’s still raw. And it was very emotional. People want to tell their stories ... But there’s a lot of feeling of loss, of grief. Of uncertainty. A lot of people still aren’t back in their homes,” Williams said.
At the support group, attendees are given time to share their personal story with the help of facilitators. A trained mental health professional will also be available to connect survivors with ongoing care, especially if they or a family member feel like they’re in crisis. The group is expected to continue for at least a year.
How to participate
The support group will be held on Zoom every third Tuesday of the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
More information is available on NAMI San Gabriel Valley’s website.
And here are some more mental health resources for fire survivors.
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