Free training in Batemans Bay in May will help frontline workers support the recovery of the local community affected by the 2019-20 bushfires and other stressors since.
Phoenix Australia, the National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health, is delivering three workshops in Batemans Bay to emergency services personnel, GP practice and community health staff, to help them better support communities affected by disasters.
The workshops have been tailored specifically for:
General Practitioners and GP practice clinics
(Supporting Individuals After Disaster – Wednesday 11 May 2022, 5:30pm–7:30pm)
Emergency Managers and Supervisors
(Psychological First Aid – Thursday 12 May 2022, 9:00am–12:00pm)
Emergency Services Personnel and Volunteers
(Trauma-informed Care – Thursday 12 May 2022, 1:00pm–4:00pm
For people in regional communities affected by the devastating bushfires, the additional stress of other disasters since has taken a significant physical, social, financial and mental toll. With funding from the Federal Government, this training is aimed at helping those on the front line to support people’s psychological recovery.
“We know most people do recover by drawing on their own coping strategies and supports. But some will go on to develop longer-lasting mental health issues like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression. There are broader consequences that people need to deal with, too, such as rebuilding, managing insurance claims, and loss of financial security,” says Alexandra Howard, Director, Disaster and Public Health Emergencies at Phoenix Australia.
“As well as helping frontline workers better support the community as mental health issues continue to emerge in the aftermath of the bushfires, this training will also help relevant organisations and workers be better prepared to respond and support when the next disaster occurs,” Alexandra adds.
More information can be found here and in the training flyers attached.
Resources to help the community
In addition to the training programs, Phoenix Australia has developed a range of resources, including a digital toolkit with advice, information and tools for people and communities recovering from bushfire trauma: www.phoenixaustralia.org/resources/bushfires.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Eliza Blomfield: eliza.blomfield@unimelb.edu.au | 0429 727 736
Phoenix Australia is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health
Our staff are international experts in posttraumatic mental health and advocates for the use of evidence-based responses following trauma to reduce the mental health effects on survivors, their families and the community.
