Bushfire support

Bushfires affect people in the community differently, depending on the stress or loss you or your loved ones have experienced. There are things you can do to take care of yourself and your emotional wellbeing, or that of someone you care about.

Individuals may experience many different emotional and physical reactions if directly or indirectly affected by bushfires. Common reactions may include feeling overwhelmed, tearfulness, sleep problems and a lack of concentration or difficulty focusing. In most cases these reactions will fade over the following weeks. There are links below to supports that may help you during this time, or you can download a useful guide here.

If at any time these reactions are seriously affecting your ability to participate in day to day activities, it's important to speak to your doctor about the support options available.

NO-COST MENTAL HEALTH OPTIONS

Remote psych telehealth: video counselling for anyone impacted. Call 03 5222 4789.
Anglicare: face-to-face, phone, Skype counselling. Call 1300 651 728 or email counselling@anglicare.org.au.
Relationships Australia: counselling available in Bega and Moruya. Call (02) 6122 7100.
Lifeline: Recovering after a bushfire
Red Cross: Disaster Recovery and Looking after yourself
Head to Health website: supports / resources at headtohealth.gov.au.
Black Dog Institute: Bushfire support resources

BUSHFIRE RECOVERY SERVICES

It can help to talk about what you’ve been through and how you’re feeling. COORDINARE funds services which provide counselling to individuals and families impacted by bushfires, including:

CatholicCare: call 1800 068 698 or view the flyer
Grand Pacific Health: call 1800 228 987
Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health & Community Services: call Narooma – (02) 4476 2155, Bega – (02) 6492 0532, or Batemans Bay – (02) 4488 4050.

Find out about other commissioned mental health services here.

NEED HELP TO NAVIGATE & ACCESS SERVICES?

Visit the National Bushfire Recovery Agency's Bushfire Recovery Connect website to find support.

Recovery Support Services can link you to your own personal recovery support worker who can help you navigate and access services. Call:

Bega Valley – (02) 6499 2345
Eurobodalla – (02) 4474 7434
Shoalhaven – 1800 663 863
Snowy Monaro – (02) 6452 3450
Queanbeyan–Palerang – 0428 777 453

TIPS TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

Allow time to regain a sense of normality.
Recognise when it's getting too much and if you're feeling overwhelmed, seek extra support.
Talk to someone you trust to help put things into perspective.
Develop an action plan and write it down.
Take care of yourself and try to get back to your normal routine. Eat, exercise, and sleep.
Get help and lean on family and friends.
Consider professional help if you don't feel some return to normal after four weeks.
Support children by providing comfort, limiting exposure to media, and encouraging questions.

CALL AN EXISTING HELPLINE

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. 13 43 57 for the dedicated bushfire support line.
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
MensLine: 1300 78 9978 or mensline.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
GriefLine: 1300 845 745 or griefline.org.au
Qlife: 1800 184 527 or qlife.org.au
Disaster Welfare Assistance Line: 1800 018 444
Law Access NSW Disaster Response Hotline: 1800 801 529

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Speak to your local doctor for support and advice.

Your Local Health District has no-cost bushfire counselling available here.

in Southern NSW, you can also call 1800 011 511 or email the referral form to SNSWLHD-BushfireRecovery@health.nsw.gov.au
in the Shoalhaven, you can call (02) 4424 7888.