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Student Wellness Services  /  Resources  /  Resources for Caltech Students Coping With the 2025 Wildfires

Resources for Caltech Students Coping With the 2025 Wildfires

Student Health Portal Make a CARE Referral

Disasters of this scale can affect everyone in the community, whether directly or indirectly. Counseling Services wants to provide you with information and resources that can assist you as we all rebuild and move forward as a community.

Typical Reactions To A Disaster

Everyone will respond differently to a disaster situation, but it's common to experience things such as:

  • Increased feelings of anxiety or worry
  • Changes in your mood;
  • Changes in appetite;
  • Changes in sleep;
  • Difficulty concentrating;
  • An increase in bodily aches and pains;
  • Or feeling hypervigilant (on edge).

These are normal reactions and will generally get better within a few weeks for most people.

Knowing When You Might Need Extra Support

If any of the experiences listed above are getting in the way of your physical, emotional, academic, or social functioning, or if they last longer than a few weeks, please consider reaching out for professional support.

Caring For Yourself

As of the time of this writing, the fires are still ongoing - and even once they're contained, the recovery efforts will take a long time. Please be patient with yourself as your body adjusts to this extended and difficult period of uncertainty. Some good things that you can do include:

  • Remembering your basic needs such as staying hydrated and eating healthy food;
  • Getting some physical exercise in areas with good air quality or air filters;
  • Staying connected with friends and family members;
  • Finding ways to volunteer or help others;
  • Limiting media exposure so that you're not saturated with reminders of the event;
  • Engaging in activities that are meaningful to you.
  • Remind yourself that you can only deal with what's right in front of you.
  • If you find that you're having thoughts about dying or ending your life, it's very important to contact Counseling Services at (626) 395-8331, an RLC, or other professional support right away. If you don't feel able to keep yourself safe, call Campus Security at extension x5000 if you're on campus, or call 911 if you're off campus. These resources are available to help address the pain and feelings of isolation or hopelessness that can accompany thoughts of suicide. You aren't alone, and help is available without judgment or shame. You can also call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. For crisis support by text, text HOME to 741741 on your cell phone to reach the Crisis Text Line. To chat via a web interface, go to https://chat.988lifeline.org/

Caring For Friends, Family, Or Others

If you're worried about someone else, let them know that you're available to listen. Don't try to "fix" how they're feeling - just listening and being emotionally present is usually what helps the most. Sometimes it's hard to know what to do or how to help, and that's ok. People will appreciate that you showed up for them, even if you don't know exactly what to say.

If you're concerned about another Caltech student, you can also make a CARE team referral at caltechcares.caltech.edu.

Further Resources:

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