Do you need emotional support during this bush fire crisis?

It is always okay to ask for help.

It is always okay to ask for help, now or in the coming weeks or months. The following list of services and articles are a start.  Please use this resource to reach out – for yourself or someone else.

Appointments with myself, Dr Romana Bowd, can be made using the online booking system. If you are in crisis or in an emergency, please go to hospital as soon as you can. Call 000 in an emergency or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Support Services

• First and foremost, if you are in danger, please call 000
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 – 24 hour telephone counselling, information and referral service.
• Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 – Confidential telephone counselling service for young people aged 5 – 25 yrs.
• Beyondblue – 1300 244 636 – Provides information on depression and anxiety.
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 – professional counsellor available 24/7
• MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 – 24 hr counselling and advice for men.
• eheadspace – 1800 650 890 – eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends.
• Bushfire Recovery Hotline – 1800 302 787
• Community Recovery – 18 00 17 33 49 (toll free in Australia) -For information about disaster recovery funds for affected communities
• Australian Government Disaster Recovery Assistance Hotline  – 180 2266

Useful information and resources

• Beyondblue: Looking after yourself after a disaster
• Lifeline Tool Kit: Getting through floods, drought and extreme climate events
• Lifeline Tool Kit: Coping with Grief and Loss
• Lifeline Tool Kit:  Helping your children cope after a natural disaster
• Victoria Government – Information on trauma reaction and recovery
• Autism Tasmania – Autism and Bushfire Emergencies
• Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network – Disasters: Bushfire resources
• Country Fire Authority (CFA) – Wellbeing Support Services for Family Members of CFA People
• Country Fire Authority (CFA) – Health & Wellbeing
• headspace – Supporting your child after a natural disaster
• headspace – How to cope with the stress of natural disasters
• Australian Red Cross – Advice on managing distress – Information for communities, parents and caregivers after a distressing event, available in seven languages.
• Tasmanian Government: Looking after yourself following a traumatic event (PDF) – What to expect, taking care of yourself and others, and where to find help
• Tasmanian Government: Trauma and families (PDF) – Tips for parents and carers on helping families to cope with distressing events
• Tasmanian Government: Trauma and teenagers (PDF)  – Tips and practical suggestions for parents and carers on helping teenagers to cope with distressing events
• Tasmanian Government: Trauma and young children (PDF) – Rebuilding a safe, secure and nurturing home to help babies and toddlers to recover from a distressing event

If you have any further resource recommendations please comment below.

Mana x