Check your health and wellbeing

During an emergency people tend to exist in a survival state to get through the incident, using up considerable emotional reserves.

They are likely to have a targeted focus and work hard for long periods, putting aside essential needs including food, water and sleep. It’s also important to recognise that after this demanding period a low often follows.

Find out more about the symptoms associated with stress following an emergency.

Personal wellbeing

It is normal to have strong reactions following a distressing or frightening event and people can experience a range of physical, mental, emotional and behavioural reactions.

There are a number of support services available (listed below) to assist you and your family recover from the strong emotional or physical reactions you may be experiencing.

If at any time you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact:

• your doctor, local community health centre
• a counsellor or psychologist
• Parentline 13 22 89 or the Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Nurse-On-Call 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Australian Psychological Society Referral Service 1800 333 497

For information about symptoms associated with stress following an emergency, visit VicEmergency Personal well-being.

For information about trauma and things you can do to cope with and recover from traumatic events, visit the Better Health Channel:

• Trauma reactions and recovery
• Trauma and families
• Trauma tips for parents
• Trauma and teenagers
• Trauma and primary school age children
• Trauma and children two to five
• Trauma and children newborns to two years
• Post-traumatic stress
• Survivor reactions to traumatic events
• Near-miss experiences and traumatic events

Looking after yourself

• Find someone to talk to; discuss your experience and feelings.
• Visit and chat to other farmers.
• Focus on doing straightforward tasks such as feeding livestock.
• Get away from the farm for a few hours or a day.
• Try to stick to family routines, stop for meals, take regular breaks.
• Talk to your partner and children, they will also need support.
• Try to attend local recovery events.

List of support services available