Australian Government mental health response to bushfire trauma

The Australian Government has announced a comprehensive bushfire recovery package. As part of this package it is providing $76 million for immediate, short term and medium term mental health support for firefighters, emergency personnel, individuals and communities impacted by the ongoing bushfire emergency.

The Mental Health Response to Bushfire Trauma package will ensure people have access to coordinated and tailored support they need to recover from the distress and impact on their mental health and wellbeing at this time and into the future.

The package includes:

• counselling and psychological services for people on the fire fronts;
• trauma informed care and care coordination;
• community grants helping communities recover;
• supporting emergency services workers and their families; and
• supporting young people through headspace.

The details of the package, including fact sheets, can be found on the Health Website.

If you are feeling impacted by the bushfires, Head to Health lists a number of resources that can help you. Select the banner at the top of the website to search for all bushfire related resources, or use Search to find resources based on how you are feeling.

Call 000 if anyone is in immediate danger. If you are experiencing mental health distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 180