We have compiled resources from various sources for you to use and share with those affected by devastating droughts, bushfires and floods.
Remember, recovery from natural disasters, both physically and mentally, will take time. The need for support does not end when the media move on from this topic; people have lives, homes and businesses to rebuild. Responses to trauma can also be delayed once the person is out of the immediate crisis or they have time to reflect on what they have been through. The need for support is ongoing. Please keep this in mind when planning your workplace mental health and wellbeing programs and support for your employees.
COVID 19 has also devastated communities in many ways, with specific challenges for regional areas. For more information on COVID 19 wellbeing visit our hub.
Mental Health Support
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program & Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health
Let’s Talk: Taking care of yourself following a natural disaster – Factsheet on the prevention, identification, and management of poor mental health after experiencing a natural disaster.
Let’s Talk: Coping with uncertainty – Factsheet on how to manage stress before it leads to greater anxiety and fear.
Australian Government – Department of Health
Australian Government Mental Health Response to Bushfire Trauma – The Federal Government recently announced $76 million in targeted bushfire recovery funds, to support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, including first responders, who have been impacted by the devastating bushfires. Immediate and long-term support includes:
- Free counselling for individuals in impacted areas, including emergency services workers;
- 10 additional Medicare rebated psychology sessions, which do not require a mental health plan or GP referral; and
- Telehealth support for those in regional, rural and remote areas
FAQs available here.
Mental Health Impacts – Mental health information and support services, and the Disaster Mental Health Manual.
Australian National University College of Health & Medicine
Taking care of mental health after bushfires – A practical guide to help you manage your and other’s mental health after the impact of fire – “ASK for help”. Download the flyer, factsheet and social media tiles.
Beyond Blue
Bushfires and Mental Health – The difference between a common reaction to a stressful or traumatic event and signs that indicate you should seek additional support.
Mental health and personal safety in the face of the bushfire crisis – Professor Brett McDermott looks at some of the links between mental and physical health and the safety of those in areas still at risk
Online Forums – Share what you are doing to help cope with the bushfires, or simply to share your experience with others. Forum membership is open to anyone residing in Australia.
Black Dog Institute
Bushfire Support Service – Free mental health support for emergency service workers and their loved ones.
Phoenix Australia
Resources for GPs – resources to support GPs working within bushfire-affected communities.
Working in Bushfire Impacted Communities: tips for GPs and allied health professionals – Webinar with practical tips on what to say, what to look out for, referral pathways, strategies to support you and your practice staff to meet the challenges of supporting traumatized communities.
Australian Bushfires Mental Health Resources – A range of resources informed by best practice to support health practitioners, first responders and community members after the bushfires.
Emergency Service Workers: Looking After Yourself – If you work in the emergency services, or provide volunteer support when disaster strikes, these simple strategies can make a big difference in helping you to cope with a very stressful, and often distressing job.
Emerging Minds
Community Trauma Toolkit – Resources to help and support adults and children before, during, and after a disaster or traumatic event.
Everymind
Support for those impacted by adverse events – The Life in Mind team at Everymind has developed a webpage where relevant disaster toolkits, resources, helplines and information can be found.
QLD Health
Five Ways to Look After Your Mental Wellbeing After a Natural Disaster – As you start to recover and rebuild over days, weeks and months, these steps can help you look after your mind and stay well.
R U OK?
How to support friends, family and colleagues through the bushfire crisis – Resources designed for police and emergency service workers, rural and remote communities, adults, children and young people.
South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute
How Can Bushfires Affect Your Mental Health – Links to helpful resources, including a free measurement to check-in on your wellbeing and complimentary training for those affected by bushfires.
SANE Australia
Life After Bushfires – Real stories from people affected by both complex mental health issues and the fires. Information, tailored support services and connection through online peer-to-peer Forums. Find tips on trauma recovery, self-care, connecting with others and seeking help.
SuperFriend
Your guide to managing a crisis – Learn about the short-term, intermediate and long-term phases of a crisis, what to expect and practical ways to support your people and customers.
Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN)
Critical incident resources for interdisciplinary mental health practitioners – Useful mental health resources for interdisciplinary mental health and related health sector professionals.
Rural and Remote Mental Health
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
Flood Support – Resources, information and support for flood-affected individuals and communities.
Daily News Alerts – Subscribe to stay up-to-date with the latest local, state and national mental health stories published in the media.
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – The RAMHP has Coordinators based across regional, rural and remote NSW who inform, educate and connect individuals, communities and workplaces with appropriate services and programs.
You’ve Got This Mate
You Got This Mate – Tips and info to help rural men reach their best possible mental health. Run by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.
Bushfire Work Health and Safety – Air Quality
Comcare
Working in Bushfire Recovery – Information to help Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) navigate their rights, roles and responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011.
Healthdirect
Bushfire health and safety – Learn how to protect your health, prepare for a natural disaster, know which health conditions put you at greater risk, and limit the stress that bushfires can cause you and those around you.
NSCA Foundation
Taking Action on Air Quality Decline Amid Bushfires – During periods of elevated smoke, employers should have measures in place to protect worker health and safety, and ensure they provide safe working environments indoors and outdoors.
Expert developed fact sheets on bushfire smoke – An air quality and health expert from the Australian National University’s Research School of Population Health, has developed freely accessible fact sheets on how to best protect yourself from bushfire smoke.
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Current and Forecast Air Quality – Air quality readings updated hourly and a daily air quality forecast for the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region.
NSW Health
Bushfire Response and Recovery – NSW Health has a webpage dedicated to maintaining health during bushfires.
Protect yourself from bushfire smoke – Factsheet exploring who is at greatest risk of bushfire smoke, and steps to decrease risk.
QLD Health
Bushfire Smoke and Your Health – Information on bushfire smoke, how it can affect you and your family’s health, and actions that you can take to avoid or reduce potential health effects.
Legal Help
Legal Aid NSW
Legal Aid NSW can give you free legal advice if you are affected by a natural disaster in NSW. Further useful resources:
- What to do after a natural disaster
- Your workplace rights during natural disasters
- Getting help after a disaster
- Bushfire emergency podcast
- Detailed bushfire insurance guide
- Bushfire Housing Assistance Service
- Ask Izzy
- If you are in Victoria, call Disaster Legal Help Victoria on 1800 113 432 to get free information about your legal issues and options for ongoing assistance.
Further Services
Deloitte
Bushfire Support Finder – Designed to help you identify and understand grants and other assistance opportunities available to you, your business and your community
Healthdirect Australia
Collectively supporting Australian health in times of emergency – Resources from healthdirect Information Partners, providing practical information to support the community at a local, state and national levels.
MoneySmart.gov.au
Recovering from a natural disaster – Planning your recovery and rebuild after a bushfire, storm, flood, or earthquake, from making a recovery plan, insurance claims, and seeking further help.
Visa
The Visa Back to Business Project – Helping to support small businesses affected by natural disasters. Merchant locator tool to help you find businesses affected by nationally declared natural disasters to support.
Compiled by Mental Health Coordinating Council
- NSW Government support for bushfire affected communities, including mental health support and information on recovery grants and loans, volunteering, fire, insurance, housing, and evacuation centres
- Rural Fire Service fire location updates
- Bush Fire Information Line: Call 1800 679 737
- NSW Government disaster welfare assistance, including evacuation centres: Call 1800 018 444
- Rural Financial Counselling Service: Call 1300 735 578
- National Debt Helpline: Call 1800 007 007
- Department of Human Services, for people in disaster-declared areas
- Red Cross emergency grants
- Australian Government DisasterAssist
- Australian Financial Complaints Authority bushfire disaster support
- Understand bushfire insurance
- NDIS disaster response
- NCOSS bushfire relief assistance resource
- Support services for remote health workers
Request for Assistance
NSW Rural Doctors Network
Natural Disaster and Emergency Primary Health Workforce Response – The Rural Doctors Network and partner organisations are coordinating a response to provide General Practice and primary health care workforce support to areas of NSW affected by natural disasters. They are seeking expressions of interest from healthcare professionals who can provide assistance and relief in communities.
