Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy

Bushfire Recovery Resources 

This document was produced as a result of the Bushfire recovery wellbeing webinar run earlier this year.


Mental health support services

Immediate recovery resources

National

NSW

Vic

SA

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 resourceDescriptionLink
ArticleABC 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 
ArticleArticle on adaptationhttps://theconversation.com/as-bushfire-and-holiday-seasons-converge-it-may-be-time-to-say-goodbye-to-the-typical-australian-summer-holiday-129337 
ArticleArticle on climate change attitudeshttps://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bigideas/why-are-we-so-dvided-on-climate-change/11898456 
ArticleArticle on recoveryhttps://theconversation.com/pulling-out-weeds-is-the-best-thing-you-can-do-to-help-nature-recover-from-the-fires-130296 
ArticleWaves of Wellness recovery articlehttps://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 resourceNick 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/ 
PracticalAustralian Conservation Volunteers recovery – offer or request recovery helphttps://conservationvolunteers.com.au/bushfires/ 
PracticalCassie Leatham is an Wurundjeri woman who has a website and teaches about bush tucka and healing plants, healing country and healing peoplehttp://www.wildblakarts.com.au/ 
PracticalCitizen science project for bushfire recovery through UNSWhttps://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
PracticalCommunity Fireguard CFA program 
PracticalForest Bathing for meditation and reconnection
PracticalHealthy Country, Health People: AABAT National Forum, Tasmania (1st-3rd May 2020)https://forum-2020.aabat.org.au/ 
PracticalLorinda Wood workshop at Lismore Women’s Festival (7th March)Contact Lorinda for a flyer: [email protected] 
PracticalOutdoor Healthcare Nature & Health Symposium, Tasmania (29th & 30th April 2020)https://outdoorhealthcare.org.au/nhrpp-symposium/ 
PracticalParks Vic bushfire recovery volunteering – offer recovery helphttps://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/volunteering 
PracticalSkilled volunteershttps://teamrubiconaus.org/ 
PracticalSmiling 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/ 
PracticalStormbirds 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 
PublicationAPS Climate Change empowerment handbookhttps://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/88ee1716-2604-44ce-b87a-ca0408dfaa12/Climate-change-empowerment-handbook.pdf 
PublicationJackie French – picture books for children around bushfire and other natural disastershttp://www.jackiefrench.com/books 
PublicationPlace based, community led- Report on learnings from Black Saturdayhttps://vcoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Place-Based-and-Community- Led_Specific-Disaster-Preparedness-and-Generalisable-Community-Resilience.pdf 
Social mediaFacebook 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/ 
WebsiteHow to support others to heal from trauma https://www.childtrauma.org/ 
WebsiteEmerging Minds – Resources for those working with mental health of young peoplehttps://emergingminds.com.au/