REDDING, Calif. — The aftermath of the December floods continues to weigh heavily on residents in the Northstate, with many still struggling to recover both physically and mentally.
Meagan Wilding, a local resident, was severely impacted by the floods and was forced to evacuate her home for some time with her twin babies.
A month later, she is still dealing with the damage and its toll on her mental health.
“I feel like I was kind of in like a state of shock, and I kind of feel like I have been for a while. I feel like I was like couldn’t cry,” Wilding said.
Ryan Crowe, Assistant Director of Northern Valley Catholic Social Services (NVCSS), emphasized the importance of seeking mental health support early.
“Mental health, I believe, is extremely important early on. I know a lot of times with different disasters, sometimes we’ll get people 6 months, 9 months later, and it’s hard to navigate through it,” Crowe said.
He noted that after a natural disaster, individuals may experience confusion, shock, grief and sadness, and that NVCSS is ready to help those in need.
“I’ve seen before people withdraw from family or activities that they used to, you know, find enjoyment in. I’ve seen isolation before, I’ve seen depression,” he added.
Wilding expressed gratitude for the community’s support during these challenging times.
“Just having my family, friends and the community, just rally and be there for us it was really something. It was really special, made me feel really special,” she said.
Crowe stressed that seeking help now can prevent long-term trauma. If post-disaster assistance is needed, you can call 530-247-3341 or visit the Northern Valley Catholic Social Service website.
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