The Hunger Games trilogy focuses on trauma and post-traumatic responses, especially in children. Mental health is not explicitly talked about in Catching Fire, but the effects of mental illness are seen throughout the cast of characters. Katniss’s mother fell into a deep depression and became almost catatonic after her husband’s death. Katniss avoids talking about the Games and tries to run away from her trauma by reclaiming old aspects of her life. Haymitch self-medicates with alcohol, and Peeta has turned to art therapy in which he paints out his nightmares. Through each of these characters, Collins explores how trauma can deeply impact a person’s mental health and decision-making, and how this can affect a person’s life and relationships if left untreated.

At the beginning of Catching Fire, Katniss reflects on how she, Peeta, and Haymitch “have [their] own ways to stay busy, to keep thoughts of [their] time as contestants in the Hunger Games at bay” (15). Katniss hunts in the woods, even though she no longer needs to find food for her family. Peeta still works at his family’s bakery and brings bread and cookies to Katniss and her family. Haymitch drinks. Katniss even goes out of her way to purchase white liquor for Haymitch at the beginning of the novel because “a few weeks ago he ran out and there was none for sale and he had a withdrawal, shaking and screaming at terrifying things only he could see” (10).