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 likely 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 the high a low often follows.
Visit the page below for further details on the symptoms associated with stress following an emergency:
http://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/#personal_well_being_following_an_emergency
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.
For information on support services and grants available, see:
Support | Description | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
General support | See Relief and recovery information at Vic Emergency or contact the Victorian Emergency Recovery Information Line. General Practitioners can also provide valuable support and arrange additional assistance if required. | Vic Emergency Information Line |
Urgent mental health concerns | If you have urgent concerns about the mental health of others or yourself there are services available. In an emergency you can also call 000 for assistance. | Mental Health Services Nurse on Call |
1800 RESPECT | A 24-hour counselling service delivered by qualified experienced professionals. | |
Kids HelpLine | Confidential telephone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. | |
ParentLine | Counselling and information for families with children up to 18 years. Open 8am to midnight, 7 days. | |
MensLine Australia | 24 hour counselling and advice for men. | |
Lifeline | 24 hour telephone counselling, information and referral service. | |
Beyondblue | Provides information on depression and anxiety. | |
Family Relationship Service | Providing families with access to information about family relationship issues. | Ph: 1800 050 321 |
Victorian Better Health Channel | Health and medical information that is quality assured, reliable, up to date, easy to understand, regularly reviewed and locally relevant. | |
Victorian Council of Churches | The Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry began in 1977 and has grown to over 1,500 volunteers trained to respond to disasters in Victoria. | Ph: (03) 9650 4511 Email: vcc@vcc.org.au |