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(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – Around the world, natural disasters, armed conflicts, pandemics, and other crises continue to disrupt lives and communities. Yet, mental health support often remains an overlooked part of emergency response. Santa Barbara County knows these challenges firsthand.
Following the 1/9 Debris Flow in 2018, the County’s Department of Behavioral Wellness led the creation of the Community Wellness Team , recognizing the essential role of mental health in disaster recovery. Since then, the team has remained active, providing critical support during and after high-stress events across the county.