Lingering impacts post an emergency event are often overlooked and understated. The recovery phase can often take weeks, months, even years depending on the scale and severity of such an event.

Looking after yourself and those around you within your community is vital for building and sustaining strong resilient communities and networks. It is through these strong relationships, that neighbourhoods and communities can rebound back stronger than before.

Stress, burnout and vicarious trauma, and mental health can all have devastating impacts on one’s overall state of wellbeing. They can also further compound underlying conditions and traumas from previous life experiences and circumstances.

We have prepared a collection of useful tips, advice and information that individuals, groups and organisations within local neighbourhoods can refer to as they recover from any emergency event.

Websites

• Australian Government - Department of Home Affairs: Disaster Assist

• Bushfire Resilience Inc. - Resource Hub

• Australian Red Cross - RediCommunities

• Australian Red Cross - Climate ready communities

• Australian Red Cross - Prepare your mind

• Australian Red Cross - Coping after a crisis

• Relationships Australia - Neighbours Every Day

• Neighbourhood Connect - Resources and inspiration

Support Services/Resources

• Phoenix Australia

  For people wanting information and support on trauma and post-traumatic stress.

  Trauma-related mental health training

• Beyond Blue

  For people wanting information and support for anxiety, stress and depression.

  Create your wellbeing plan

• Headspace

  For people aged 12-25, or for those caring for them.

  Support

• Lifeline Australia - Ph: 13 11 14

  For people in need of crisis support, for them or their loved ones.

  Support

• Lifeline Bushfire Recovery - Ph: 13 43 57

  Dedicated support for those experiencing impacts of bushfire.

  Support

• Kids Helpline - Ph: 1800 551 800

  For phone and online counselling support for children and young people (aged 5-25).

  Support

• 13YARN - Ph: 13 92 76

  Dedicated mental health support service for Aboriginal people

  Support

• 1800RESPECT - Ph: 1800 737 732

  For people in need of support relating to sexual, domestic and family violence.

  Support

• Smiling Mind

  A free mobile phone application of guided mindfulness mediations with special programs for children, young people, families and adults.

  Download the app here.

Documents

• Sparking Conversations, Igniting Action - Community Support Toolkit

• The Happy Chondriac Society - GROW Model

• The Happy Chondriac Society - Self care card

• Australian Red Cross - Recovery Basics: Looking after yourself during and after disasters

• Australian Red Cross - Recovery Basics: The impact of disasters on communities and individuals

• Australian Red Cross - Recovery Basics: Working in recovery

• Australian Red Cross - Coping with a major personal crisis

• Australian Red Cross - After the emergency: A book to help kids cope with emergencies

• Australian Red Cross - Helping children and young people cope with crisis: Information for parents and caregivers

• Australian Red Cross - Preparing for disaster anniversaries (individual support)

• Australian Red Cross - Preparing for disaster anniversaries (community support)

• Australian Red Cross - Managing climate anxiety

• Emerging Minds - What parents and caregivers can expect in the short term after a disaster or community trauma

• Emerging Minds - How parents and caregivers can support children in the longer term following a disaster or community trauma

Videos