Resources
Resources for Health Professionals in Drought and Bushfire Affected Communities
The social and emotional impact of the Australia drought and bushfire crisis is far-reaching and affects everyone. Health professionals, as the cornerstone of community support, are experiencing increased demand and a complex workload. It is important that the mental health of these workers be at the forefront of our mind at this time and we encourage all these health professionals to access support.
Download a copy of the Resources for Health Professionals in PDF format.
Support, Self-care and Counselling for Health Professionals:
CRANAplus Bush Support Counselling Services is a free and confidential telephone counselling service for rural and remote area health professionals and their families. Ph: 1800 805 391
Nurse & Midwife Support 24/7 Support for nurses and midwives is only a phone call or a click away, no matter where you are in Australia 1800 667 877 nmsupport.org.au
NSW Rural Doctors Network
#RuralHealthTogether is an initiative of NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) to provide rural health professionals with self-care support and access to mental health-related information, both for themselves and for their patients. Resources for Health Professionals and their communities
Resources and Training for Rural Health Professionals
eMHPrac or e‑Mental Health in Practice, is a suite of online training modules, webinars and e‑resources designed to introduce health professionals to online programs and tools, and to demonstrate how e‑mental health technologies can be integrated into primary care. Free webinar Working in Bushfire Impacted Communities: tips for GPs and allied health professionals. Expert Insights - Bushfires, Trauma and Mental Health
PhoenixAustralia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health Phoenix provides a range of resources, online training, and treatment guidelines for health practitioners. Australian bushfires mental health resources
Beyond Blue provides a range of free resources and training for health professionals to enable positive health outcomes for people experiencing depression, anxiety and at risk of suicide. Mental Health for Health Services Workers
Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub
Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) Bushfire information for primary health care professionals.
National Rural Health Alliance Resources for people in bushfire-affected communities
RACGP Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Bushfire information for GPs
Australian Psychological Society Recovering from bushfires
Emerging Minds Emerging Minds help health professionals connect with better mental health support and approaches for infants, children and families. primary care.
Community Trauma Toolkit Supporting children after bushfires
PHN Primary Health Network: check out your local PHN website for links to local bushfire, drought or disaster management services and resources.
Download a copy of the Where to Get Help: Community Resources in PDF format.
Where to get help: Community Resources For People Affected by Drought and Bushfires
Bushfire and drought have had a big impact on our emotional wellbeing and mental health. This resource has been put together to provide information and support for yourself, your family or someone you are concerned about. There are many ways you can access help including over the phone, internet or face to face. This resource provides a range of ideas for crisis counselling and support and mental health treatment programs that can be accessed by phone, as apps or online. These services are not just for people with a mental health diagnoses but are designed for anyone who is experiencing problems. Most of these services and resources are free and can be accessed anytime.
Crisis Support and Counselling
- Lifeline 24/7 phone crisis support and counselling 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 224636 Telephone (24 / 7), online and email counselling
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 National 24/7 professional telephone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide.
- Mens Line Australia 1300 789978 Advice, therapy
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- Farmers Assistance Hotline 132316
e‑mental health programs
eMHprac – has compiled a directory of Australian, evidence-based, free (or low-cost), publicly funded digital mental health programs and resources
Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.
Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health. www.beyondblue.org.au They have a range of resources specifically designed to support individuals and families affected by drought and bushfire. Looking after yourself after a disaster. Drought: A crisis in more ways than one Bushfires and mental health
Phoenix Australian Centre of Post Traumatic Mental Health promotes recovery for the 15 million Australians affected by trauma. They also have a range of resources to support community members affected by the bushfires.
ifarmwell A free online tool kit to help farmers cope effectively with life’s challenges and get the most out of every day.
Young People
Kids Helpline provides telephone (24 / 7) and online (24 / 7) counselling for young people aged 5 to 25. You can talk about friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, problems with parents or siblings, school (bullying, homework, teachers), sex, or anything at all. Call 1800 551 800 or visit. Niggle a wellbeing app by Kids Helpline
eheadspace provides free online support and counselling to young people 12 — 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890 or visit
ReachOut.com provides practical tools, forums and information for young people and their parents on a range of mental health topics.
Black Dog Institute Bite Back is a free online activities, psychoeducation and positive psychology aiming to promote resilience and wellbeing in young people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- Head to Health
- iBobbly – a wellbeing and suicide prevention app for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services in each state and territory.
- Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Self Care Toolkit
- MindSpot Indigenous Wellbeing A course for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to learn to cope with anxiety and depression