The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) has provided some advice for Mental Health and Wellbeing during a time of crisis.
For general wellbeing
Remember to prioritise your own and your family’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also looking out for friends and neighbours who may also need extra support.
Strong emotions are normal, especially during challenging times.
Sharing your feelings with supportive people can make them easier to manage.
While reflecting on what has happened is natural, also take time to recognise your strengths and the positive actions you took to stay safe during this time.
Stay connected with others, even if you’re not ready to talk about the event. Try to avoid (or limit) using alcohol or drugs to cope. Instead, aim to prioritise your physical health with regular sleep, meals, and hydration.
Recovery is a gradual process, and everyone’s recovery journey will be unique to them.
Try to set realistic expectations for yourself and your family, and reduce unnecessary demands on yourselves.
Some people who have been impacted by prior bushfire events experience re-surfacing of difficult and sometimes painful memories. These memories might be accompanied by feelings of sadness, worry and grief.
It’s normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions because of parts of the state re-experiencing fires. Keep a look out for signs that you might need extra support and get help if you need it.
Supporting others
When you’re feeling able to, check in with family, friends and loved ones.
Conversations around the bushfires can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but it is supportive to just let people know you are there for them if they need to talk and to know that they are there for you too.
It’s okay if what you say isn’t perfect, sometimes just being there to listen - giving people an opportunity to feel heard and acknowledging their experience, is enough, and can make a real difference.
You can also support people emotionally by offering practical support (e.g., providing food, offering transport, or finding out about support services for them).
Accessing support and other resources
Free, 24/7 wellbeing support is available, including over the holiday period.
The following services offer confidential support for anyone feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or in need of someone to talk to:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
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