We have compiled resources from various sources for you to use and share with those affected by the devastating droughts, bushfires and floods in NSW and QLD.
Remember the recovery from the 2019/2020 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 will continue for all of 2020 and beyond. Please keep this in mind when planning your workplace mental health and wellbeing programs and support for your employees.
Mental Health Support
Dedicated Webpage – Everymind
The Life in Mind team at Everymind has developed a webpage where relevant disaster toolkits, resources, helplines and information can be found. It will be updated on an ongoing basis to ensure the information remains relevant to each phase and meets community needs.
Research-Based Resources – Black Dog Institute
Bushfire support for individuals, communities, children and teenagers, based on research, resources for GPs, and a webinar with tips for GPs and allied health professionals.
Supporting Others – R U OK?
Resources designed for police and emergency service workers, rural and remote communities, adults, children and young people.
Mental Health Impacts – NSW Ministry of Health
Mental health information and support services, and the Disaster Mental Health Manual.
How Can Bushfires Affect Your Mental Health – South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
SAHMRI’s latest eNewsletter links to helpful resources, including a free measurement to check-in on your wellbeing and complimentary training for those affected by bushfires.
Crisis Support Resources – SuperFriend
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 Funding for Bushfire Affected Areas – Australian Government
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
More information can be found in this factsheet and FAQs.
Australian Bushfires Mental Health Resources – Phoenix Australia
Phoenix Australia have developed 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 – Phoenix Australia
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.
From 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
An article by Professor Brett McDermott, a former Director of Beyond Blue and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in helping children and families after disasters.
Media Releases
Beyond Blue has welcomed the Commonwealth’s commitment of $8 million towards supporting mental health in early learning services and schools affected by bushfire.
Online Forums
You may wish to 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.
Five Ways to Look After Your Mental Wellbeing After a Natural Disaster – QLD Health
As you start to recover and rebuild over days, weeks and months, these steps can help you look after your mind and stay well.
Community Trauma Toolkit – Emerging Minds
This toolkit contains resources to help and support adults and children before, during, and after a disaster or traumatic event.
Rural and Remote Mental Health
From the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
Daily News Alerts
Subscribe to stay up-to-date with the latest local, state and national mental health stories published in the media.
Rural Men’s Mental Health Website
A new rural men’s mental health website is now live and will be launched in March.
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP)
The RAMHP has 19 Coordinators based across regional, rural and remote NSW who inform, educate and connect individuals, communities and workplaces with appropriate services and programs.
NSW Small Business Roadshows Feb-March
NSW Small Business Bushfire Information Sessions – NSW Treasury
Small businesses affected by the bushfires in regional NSW are invited to attend information sessions brought to you as part of the NSW Government Bushfire Regional Roadshow. Government agencies will come together to share information on support available such as eligibility criteria for grants, and disaster assistance for directly and indirectly affected businesses.
Work Health and Safety – Air Quality
Bushfires: Work Health and Safety – Comcare
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.
Taking Action on Air Quality Decline Amid Bushfires – NSCA Foundation
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.
Health Expert Advice on Bushfire Smoke – NSCA Foundation
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.
Bushfire Response and Recovery – NSW Ministry of Health
Bushfire specific advice and factsheets, such as how to protect yourself from bushfire smoke.
Current and Forecast Air Quality – NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Air quality readings updated hourly and a daily air quality forecast for the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region.
Bushfire Smoke and Your Health – QLD Health
This page provides 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.
Bushfire Response and Recovery – NSW Health
NSW Health has a webpage dedicated to maintaining health during bushfires.
Legal Help
Compiled by 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 Info and 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
Natural Disaster and Emergency Primary Health Workforce Response – NSW Rural Doctors Network
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.
