This information sheet provides summary guidelines on the three levels of psychological support that can be offered to people affected by disasters such as the Victorian bushfires.
The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health developed these guidelines in consultation with trauma experts from a range of disciplines, as well as people affected by trauma. These guidelines provide practical recommendations applicable in all healthcare settings.
APS tip sheets inform clients about a range of psychological issues and how psychologists can help. They are a useful resource for private practitioners and other health professionals, especially GPs.
The Disaster Response Network (DRN) is a national network of psychologists who have a special interest and expertise in working with individuals and communities affected by disasters and emergencies in Australia as well as those working to assist them.
This web portal provides health professionals working with disaster-affected individuals and communities with a step-by-step guide to disaster response and the psychological implications at each stage from preparation through to response and recovery.
Developed by the National Center for PTSD, PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress, and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning.
Developed by the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network (ACATLGN, these guidelines were designed to assist general practitioners and health professionals working in primary care after the disaster of the Victorian bushfires. There are relevant to other natural disasters where there is where people are exposed to life-threatening stressors and losses.
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC ) issues these guidelines to enable humanitarian actors to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in the midst of an emergency.
Women's Health Victoria has put together a women's health information package and other resources to assist in the initial and ongoing stages of recovery for those affected by the Victorian bushfires and other disaster situations.