Please find below some resources about helping yourself and others in the wake of the Australian Bushfires.

Information Sheets

Australian Psychological Society: Information Sheets
https://www.psychology.org.au/Australian-bushfires-2020

Phoenix Australia Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health Information Sheets
https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/recovery/fact-sheets-and-booklets/

Phoenix Australia Online Videos
https://www.recoveryonline.org.au/

Australian Red Cross Information Sheets
https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/emergencies/resources-about-disasters#respond-to-disasters

Psychological assistance for those directly affected by the bushfires

As at the 17 January 2020, the Australian government has introduced 10 Medicare rebatable services available in each calendar year for two years (2020 and 2021) referred to as the Bushfire Recovery Access Initiative.

These sessions can be offered face-to-face or via video conference for those living in rural and remote areas. Individuals who have accessed these 10 sessions through the bushfire recovery access initiative are also able to access up to 10 sessions through the Better Access initiative if referred by a GP or psychiatrist.

Eligibility for the bushfire recovery access initiative is determined by the treating psychologist and is defined as “anyone who has had an adverse change in their mental health as a result of a bushfire which occurred in the 2019-2020 financial year.”

For transparency, my own eligibility criteria will be those who have been directly affected by the bushfires (i.e., emergency/volunteer workers or those who lived or vacationed in a location affected by the bushfires).

Please feel free to contact if you require any further information.