Emotional responses after a natural disaster

People may be at risk of developing depression and anxiety after experiencing a traumatic event like a bushfire, flood or earthquake. Normal reactions
Feeling overwhelmed Feeling numb and detached Inability to focus Inability to plan ahead Constant tearfulness Intrusive memories or bad dreams related to the event Sleep disturbances Constant questioning What if I had done x, y or z, instead? Replaying the event and inventing different outcomes in order to be prepared should it happen again These reactions can be severe and are at their worst in the first week, however, in most cases, they fade over a month. If a persons day-to-day functioning is seriously affected for more than two months after the event, its important to discuss it with a General Practitioner or mental health professional.

Beyond a normal reaction If you experience any of these symptoms at any time, seek professional help:
A sense that the emotional and physical reactions are not normal Thoughts of ending ones life or self-harm Loss of hope or interest in the future Avoiding things that bring back memories of what happened to the point where day-to-day tasks cannot be carried out Being startled easily e.g. jumping when a door slams Feeling overwhelming fear for no obvious reason Panic attack symptoms: increased heart rate, breathlessness, shakiness, dizziness and a sudden urge to go to the toilet Excessive guilt about things that were or werent said or done.

For immediate assistance

Lifeline 13 11 14 Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 For more information on depression, anxiety, available treatments and where to get help visit www.beyondblue.org.au or call 1300 22 4636.

www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636

Help is available:
Australian Psychological Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 333 497 (Find a psychologist) beyondblue info line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 22 4636 Centrelink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 61 50 Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dial 000 Kids Help Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 551 800 NSW Disaster Recovery Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 018 444 Nurse-on-call Bushfire Health and Counselling Line . . . . . . . . . 1300 606 024 (Victoria) Queensland Department of Communities Service Centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 173 349 (Assistance for QLD residents affected by floods and storms) Relationships Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 364 277 Rural Womens Telephone Counselling Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 182 098 Trans-Help Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 787 996
(Support for transport drivers and their families)

Victorian Bushfire Information line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 240 667 Womens Information Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 188 158 www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au www.beyondblue.org.au
Information on coping with trauma Information on depression and anxiety, and where to get help Information on emergency support and referrals to counsellors Online drug and alcohol counselling

www.centrelink.gov.au

www.counsellingonline.org.au www.crufad.org www.disasterassist.gov.au

Information on depression, anxiety and its management Online information and support forums Information about government services available after major disasters Information on mental illness for young people Information about coping after a flood Online counselling for young people Information for parents and teachers to support childrens mental health and well-being Support for men with family and relationship problems Online psychological therapy Australian Psychological Society Find a psychologist Information to help young people through tough times Relationships Australia relationships counselling Advice and support for transport drivers/families beyondblues website for young people

www.depressionservices.org.au

www.headspace.org.au www.health.qld.gov.au/floods/ www.kidshelpline.com.au www.kidsmatter.edu.au

www.menslineaus.org.au www.moodgym.anu.edu.au www.psychology.org.au www.reachout.com.au www.relationships.com.au www.youthbeyondblue.com

www.transhelpfoundation.com.au

www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636