Providing Care in times of Crisis

Call 13 11 14 for 24 hour emotional support

With the past flood emergencies in North Queensland and devastating bushfires in Victoria, Lifeline Australia is reminding the community to connect with care during and after natural disasters.

Trauma reaction to natural disasters may occur immediately after the event or in the weeks and months following. Trauma can be felt by people immediately involved, people who have experienced similar situations in their past or even people disconnected to the event.

Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling line continues to be available 24 hours a day for anyone needing support during this crisis. This page also provides some helpful resources that may assist you or your family.

Some quick tips for dealing with trauma are:

• Remember that feeling stressed and emotional during a crisis is normal, so be kind to yourself and others;
• Be patient, take regular emotional breaks, switch off the news and take it easy for a short time, this will help you maintain your capacity to cope;
• Don’t push yourself or others around you too hard;
• Reduce short term expectations, don’t criticise others reactions, and realise that people cope with events differently;
• Ensure your physical wellbeing is looked after, eat, drink and rest as best as you can;
• Realise that even if you are not directly affected, the event may still have an impact on your mental and emotional health and wellbeing;
• Understand that you are not alone, that you can always find caring support from organisations like Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Emergency support numbers

Lifeline 24 hour telephone counselling

For emotional support call 13 11 14

Victorian Bushfire Information Line

For specific information concerning the fires in Victoria, call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech / communication impairment may call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969.

Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires or http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Queensland Department of Communities Disaster Recovery Hotline

Individuals from areas affected by the North Queensland floods may be eligible for financial support and can obtain more information regarding their entitlements by contacting the Queensland Department of Communities Disaster Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

A recovery centre has been set up in Ingham at the Royal Hotel, Lannercost St.  Open 9am-5pm Monday –Saturday

Downloadable Resources:

The following PDF tool kits by the Lifeline Information Service, provide self help information and tips:

Helping your children cope with the after effects of bush fire disaster:
Provides specific information about reactions that children may have to trauma during natural disasters, and tips for supporting your family.

Coping with sorrow, loss and grief
Provides information and self help tips about the grief process and steps that can be taken to overcome the situation and assist you to heal. *Note this tool kit was designed primarily for Indigenous Australians, however it contains relevant information for anyone experiencing sorrow, loss and grief.

Tool kit for beating the blues
Provides information about depression and tips for taking care of your self, increasing positive thinking and seeking support. This tool kit may be of assistance for anyone experiencing longer term feeling of depression during the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Bushfire Support Information & Resources:

Australian Psychological Society

This site includes resources designed primarily for survivors to help them cope with their distress and the psychological reactions that typically emerge after such a traumatic experience. It also contains resources that are designed primarily for those working to assist survivors cope with immediate and short-term distress, emphasising the value of basic practical and emotional support.

Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement

This site provides information relating to practical issues for survivors as well as information relating to trauma, grief & treatment, as well as containing links to other support organisations.

Reach Out

Reach out provides a young persons fact sheet containing information on ways to cope and/or help with the disaster for anyone whether or not they were directly affected by the fires as well as further links to other support and information services.

Helping Kids Cope

This ‘Tips for Parents & Teachers’ handout from the National Association of School Psychologists offers suggestions for what to do when facing disasters and tragedy of national significance.