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/ |