How to support friends, family and colleagues through the bushfire crisis

The past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for many people who have been affected, both directly and indirectly by the bushfire emergency. The scale of this disaster is immense, and the impact is being felt in communities around Australia.

On behalf of the R U OK? community we would like to express our grateful thanks to the emergency services workers, defence personnel, volunteers, trauma support services, logistics staff and others who are working tirelessly to provide assistance to the thousands of people in need of help. The immediate priority is to meet the basic needs, safety and security of those affected.

We are also thinking of those who remain in the grip of drought and the thousands in North Queensland who are still recovering after last year’s floods.

Feeling overwhelmed, sad, helpless or angry are common reactions to what is an extraordinary situation and we encourage you to reach out and offer support to your friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling.

Ask if they’re okay, take the time to listen and if the conversation is too big for you to manage please encourage them to speak to their GP or contact one of the support services who have people trained to assist in this situation.

Please also take care of yourself and if you are personally struggling, please reach out for help.

The long-term impact of this disaster will be far reaching and we urge everyone to keep checking back in, be kind, look out for one another and lend support for as long as it takes.

Crisis Support:

If you are in an emergency, or at imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.

To talk to someone NOW call:

• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
  
• Lifeline 13 HELP (13 43 57)

National Bushfire Recovery Agency: Contacts for emergency assistance.

R U OK? Resources:

• ‘How to ask’ details the steps to help us all navigate a conversation with someone we think might be struggling with life.

Resources for Police and Emergency Service workers:

• ‘Are they Triple OK?’ provides tips and resources to promote life changing conversations with police and emergency services workers at home and in the workplace.
  
• Resource kits have been developed for each state and territory and are free to download here.

Resources for Rural and Remote Communities:

• Fewer services, natural disasters, isolation and loneliness are just a few of the things that can be harder to deal with in rural communities.
  
• ‘The R U OK?’ Mateship Manual helps those in rural and remote communities navigate a conversation with someone who’s doing it tough. Free to download here.
• The new R U OK? Mateship Manual will help you navigate a conversation with someone who has experienced a natural disaster or emergency. Free to download here.

R U OK? is not a crisis support or counselling service and our website is not a substitute for professional care. If you need professional support, please contact your doctor, local health centre or one of the services listed below.

Family and friends can also call upon these services for advice and assistance on how to support someone who is struggling with life.

Adult:

Support Services:

• Lifeline 13 HELP (13 43 57)
  
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Online Resources:

• Lifeline: Recovering after a natural disaster
  
• Beyond Blue: Bushfires and mental health
  
• Lifeline Toolkit: Getting through floods, drought and extreme climate events
• Beyond Blue: PTSD signs, symptoms and available treatments
• Lifeline Toolkit: Coping with Grief and Loss

Children and young people:

Support Services:

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
  
• Headspace 1800 650 890

Online Resources:

• Beyond Blue Factsheet: How to support children following a natural disaster
  
• Lifeline Toolkit: Helping your children cope after a natural disaster
  
• Better Health: How to support children during traumatic events
  
• Red Cross: After the emergency, a book to help kids cope with emergencies
  
• Reach Out: How to deal with the stress of bushfires, floods, earthquakes and cyclones
  
• Beyond Blue: How to talk to children about news events
  
• Reach Out: How to cope with anxiety about climate change
  

In times of crisis, it can be hard for people to know where to look for help. The Life in Mind team at Everymind has developed a webpage where relevant toolkits, resources, helplines and information can be found. This will be updated on an ongoing basis to ensure the information remains relevant and meets community needs. You can access it here.