Bushfire mental health support from NSW Health

NSW Health has provided helpful information to assist in accessing mental health and counselling services during the current bushfire emergency.

The National Rural Health Alliance provides resources for people in bushfire-affected communities

The National Rural Health Alliance has provided information from Alliance members and the health sector that may be helpful to anybody living or working in fire-affected communities including specific recourses, information and advice.

Planning for disaster management guide by Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network

Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, has put together an emergency preparedness guide for primary health networks and others supporting the local GP response during emergencies.

Keeping mental health in check during this bushfire season

Even if you’re not directly affected by the fires this season, the devastation can still have an impact on your mental health.

Clinical Psychologist, David Younger who works with disaster affected communities says it’s important to have some down time away from the news.

He gave ABC’s Craig Hamilton a list of ways to look after yourself in these tough times.

Track how you are going

This useful resource from the Centre of Rural and Remote Mental Health helps you assess how you are going and provides tips on what to do and how to get help.

Download the PDF

Video: RAMHP Profile – Tessa Caton

Tessa Caton, Program Manager for the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), speaks about mental health in rural communities. RAMHP exists to educate, encourage and link people to mental health support.

Watch the video

Community trauma toolkit

Created by Emerging Minds, an organisation dedicated to advancing the mental health of Australian children and families, the community trauma toolkit contains recourses for health professionals and GPS to help and support adults and children before, during, and after a disaster or traumatic event

View the toolkit

Webinar: Mental health care in rural Australia

A pre-recorded podcast by the Black Dog Institute explores the problems in mental health care delivery in rural Australia, from the point of view of the consumer and service provider. 

Listen to the podcast

Being Well podcast series

The Black Dog Institute offers a number of podcasts and webinars online, focusing on a range of mental health topics, from expert knowledge to personal stories. These podcasts each tackle an important mental health topic and provide support for health professionals. 

Listen to the podcasts

Black Dog Institute Online Clinic

A free mental health assessment tool by the Black Dog Institute, the online clinic is for anyone worried they may be developing a mental health problem or would like better understanding of their mental health. The online clinic takes you through a range of clinical assessments and provides a personalised report with suggestions for support services.

Go to the online clinic