Mental health impacts of oil spill response: Insights from a global survey of emergency responders

Oil spill response operations are inherently high-stress environments that expose responders to a range of physical and psychological challenges. Despite the known mental health risks associated with emergency response work, to date there was limited research focused specifically on oil spill responders. This study aimed to identify key stressors that may affect responders as well as support that could be provided to them during and after deployment. A survey was designed and distributed to responders worldwide, yielding 272 responses from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The survey collected data on demographics, response roles, stressors experienced during deployment, post-deployment challenges, and desired mental health resources. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and subscale scoring for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related symptoms. The most frequently reported stressors included exposure to injury or casualty, working long hours, extended deployments without time off, and stress from incident management or parent organization. Post-deployment challenges such as emotional struggles and difficulty readjusting to normal life were also reported. Approximately 18% of respondents exhibited PTSD-type of symptoms. Responders expressed a strong desire for peer support programs, follow-up mental health services, and leadership training on mental health awareness. The findings highlight a critical need for structured mental health support before, during, and after oil spill response deployments. Integrating mental health professionals into the response, developing tailored support tools, and providing proactive training could significantly improve responder well-being and operational resilience.