This document was produced as a result of the Bushfire recovery wellbeing webinar run earlier this year.
Mental health support services
- Lifeline: 131114
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78
- Headspace: 1800 650 890
- Kids helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Beyondblue online forums: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums
Immediate recovery resources
National
- National Bushfire Recovery Agency – https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/
- Red Cross
- https://www.redcross.org.au/
- 1800 727 077
- Register. Find. Reunite. – https://register.redcross.org.au/
- Medicare rebates for counselling for those living in bushfire affected areas: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/news/new-medicare-items-health-professionals-support-those-affected-bushfires
- For working with people dealing with bushfire trauma https://www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/bushfire-resources
- List of resources for bushfire victims as well as info on trauma – https://www.lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/mental-health-support-for-bushfire-affected-communities
- Outdoor Industry bushfire recovery resource https://qorf.org.au/industry/bushfire-recovery/
NSW
- Service NSW – https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service
- NSW Emergency – https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/disaster-assistance.aspx
- NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service – 13 77 88
Vic
- Vic Emergency – https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/
- Bushfire Recovery Victoria
- https://www.vic.gov.au/bushfire-recovery-victoria
- 1800 560 760
SA
- SA Dept. of Human Services – https://dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disaster-recovery
- SA Recovery Hotline – 1800 302 787
Tas
AABAT Community Resources
The AABAT state representatives may also be able to help you find additional resources that are local to your region.
Other shared resources
| Type of resource | Description | Link |
| Article | ABC RN Life Matters show 29/1/20, with a focus on children: | www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/helping-children-come-to-terms-with-this-season’s-bushfires/11906806 |
| Article | Article on adaptation | https://theconversation.com/as-bushfire-and-holiday-seasons-converge-it-may-be-time-to-say-goodbye-to-the-typical-australian-summer-holiday-129337 |
| Article | Article on climate change attitudes | https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bigideas/why-are-we-so-dvided-on-climate-change/11898456 |
| Article | Article on recovery | https://theconversation.com/pulling-out-weeds-is-the-best-thing-you-can-do-to-help-nature-recover-from-the-fires-130296 |
| Article | Waves of Wellness recovery article | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-10/mallacoota-the-small-town-at-the-start-of-a-long-recovery/11946464 |
| Person | Dr Susie Burke (Environmental Psychologist) Active 8 Model and the 7 dragons of inaction. | See APA Handbook for models |
| Personal resource | Nick Hall’s personal experience with the Dunalley 2013 fires. | www.nickhalladventuretherapy.com/2020/01/29/the-australian-bushfire-emergency/ |
| Practical | Fundraising and connection program called Adventure Aid (started in the Blue Mountains) | https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/active/article/book-hiking-abseiling-or-climbing-trip-adventure-aid-and-help-return-blue-mountains-its-former-pre-bushfire-glory https://www.facebook.com/events/172843947393252/ |
| Practical | Australian Conservation Volunteers recovery – offer or request recovery help | https://conservationvolunteers.com.au/bushfires/ |
| Practical | Cassie Leatham is an Wurundjeri woman who has a website and teaches about bush tucka and healing plants, healing country and healing people | http://www.wildblakarts.com.au/ |
| Practical | Citizen science project for bushfire recovery through UNSW | https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/environment-recovery-project-australian-bushfires-2019-2020 https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/citizen-science-project-bushfire-recovery-needs-your-help/11910486 https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/citizen-scientists-get-snappy-monitor-bushfire-ravaged-environment |
| Practical | Community Fireguard CFA program | |
| Practical | Forest Bathing for meditation and reconnection | |
| Practical | Healthy Country, Health People: AABAT National Forum, Tasmania (1st-3rd May 2020) | https://forum-2020.aabat.org.au/ |
| Practical | Lorinda Wood workshop at Lismore Women’s Festival (7th March) | Contact Lorinda for a flyer: |
| Practical | Outdoor Healthcare Nature & Health Symposium, Tasmania (29th & 30th April 2020) | https://outdoorhealthcare.org.au/nhrpp-symposium/ |
| Practical | Parks Vic bushfire recovery volunteering – offer recovery help | https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/volunteering |
| Practical | Skilled volunteers | https://teamrubiconaus.org/ |
| Practical | Smiling Mind Free mindfulness tool that has specific sessions for adults, young people, families, work etc. Great for supporting co-regulation, being present and beginning reflection. Web and app based | https://www.smilingmind.com.au/ |
| Practical | Stormbirds program – gives kids tools to creatively express their emotions after a bushfire experience. It has a parent component integrated at the final session. | https://www.goodgrief.org.au/stormbirds |
| Publication | APS Climate Change empowerment handbook | https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/88ee1716-2604-44ce-b87a-ca0408dfaa12/Climate-change-empowerment-handbook.pdf |
| Publication | Jackie French – picture books for children around bushfire and other natural disasters | http://www.jackiefrench.com/books |
| Publication | Place based, community led- Report on learnings from Black Saturday | https://vcoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Place-Based-and-Community- Led_Specific-Disaster-Preparedness-and-Generalisable-Community-Resilience.pdf |
| Social media | Facebook group “Hope 2020 – One small thing” – a really positive FB group. Non-political (no political posts) – it’s a group of people sharing personal steps they’re taking – actions for a better world. A breathe of fresh air. | https://www.facebook.com/groups/2673151546109678/ |
| Website | How to support others to heal from trauma | https://www.childtrauma.org/ |
| Website | Emerging Minds – Resources for those working with mental health of young people | https://emergingminds.com.au/ |