Recovery after bushfire for you and others—the immediate coming days
A key to recovery is to remain as healthy as you can and recognising that experiencing stress in traumatic situations is normal.
Quick tips to help right now.
Download this information as a printable PDF: Recovery after bushfire for you and others—the immediate coming days (PDF - 345.3 KB)
Self Care
A key to recovery is to remain as healthy as you
- Remember to take medications
- Stay connected to other people is critical to recovery—talk/listen
- Take a moment to recharge—walk away, stop, breath, take a rest
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to further distressing images
Sustain
- Food—eat healthy food where possible, limit high sugar/fat/salt
- Water— keep well hydrated with clean/uncontaminated drinking water
- Sleep—make sleep a priority
- Minimise alcohol consumption
- Be careful not to overheat—avoid working in the heat of the day
Signs of distress in yourself and others
- Inability to focus
- Irritability
- Difficulty in making decisions
- Withdrawing from contact with people
- Physical symptoms: nausea, headache, muscle aches, skin rashes, insomnia
Support
In the immediate coming days practical support is often the most helpful
- In a crisis proactively seek urgent support for yourself and others (see contact numbers)
- If you’ve had a near death experience or experienced significant trauma seek support.
- Children—are there family/friends who can help?
- Livestock and pets—do they have water, food, fodder?
- Stock welfare—do you need veterinary advice?
- Ask for what you need—it’s okay to receive food and help—just as you want to help others, others want to help you.
Support contacts
Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636 |
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Lifeline | 13 11 44 |
Mental Health Services | 1800 808 284 |
Mensline | 1300 789 978 |
Kids Helpline | 1800 551 800 |
Nurse on Call | 1300 606 024 |
Rural Financial Counselling Service | 1800 686 175 |
Animal Welfare Assessments, Agriculture Victoria | 1800 226 226 |
Australian Government Disaster Assistance | Disaster Assist |
Fodder Assistance, Victorian Farmers Federation | 1300 882 833 or Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) |
Emergency Livestock Water | Contact your local council |
Page last updated: 05 Oct 2022