Mental health and wellbeing support

A key to recovery is to remain as healthy as you can and recognise that experiencing stress in traumatic situations is normal.

During an emergency people tend to exist in a survival state to get through the incident, using up considerable emotional reserves – working hard for long periods, putting aside essential needs including food, water and sleep.

It’s also important to recognise that demanding period often follows with a low.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, phone triple zero on 000.

• Find a full list of health and wellbeing services in our resource directory.
• Visit Vic Emergency for tips on relief and recovery.

The program is managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.

Visit National Centre for Farmer Health website for more details on Look over the farmgate community grants, or email lotfg@wdhs.net.

Mental health resources from the National Centre for Farmer Health

The National Centre for Farmer Health offers free resources to support your wellbeing:

• For practical tips for common farm stressors and the Steering Straight plan read a booklet on managing stress on the farm.
• Explore resources for managing tough times on the online support hub.

Free wellbeing support

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers free, confidential wellbeing support alongside their usual financial and business counselling support. Wellbeing counsellors are available to visit bushfire-affected producers and their families at their property or over the phone to assist with mental health and wellbeing issues.

To access the support of a wellbeing counsellor, call the Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1300 771 741.

Resource directory

Find a full list of local health and wellbeing services in our resource directory.

Additional support resources

• For information on trauma and ways to cope and recover from traumatic events visit;Better Health Channel.
• To access translations on health and wellbeing resources visit free library of health translations.