Red Cross is offering psychological first aid and self-care sessions for frontline workers who have helped with the flood disaster.
Have you or your staff been on the frontline of helping with flood relief or disaster recovery in your community?
If so, Red Cross is giving one-hour mental health support sessions to those impacted. Please email Sarah U’Brien to enquire.
Disaster recovery clinicians Steve Carrigg and Sam Osborne are also offering mental health support to disaster recovery workers. Email Stephen to enquire.
You can also download the Red Cross Guide to Psychological First Aid here.
Other resources for communities affected by the recent disaster are below.
Mental health and wellbeing for adults
- Beyond Blue has some tips on looking after yourself after a disaster and information on common reactions and dealing with the emotional impact of these events.
- The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) has a Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) that connects people living in regional, rural and remote NSW with local mental health services and resources, information and support for flood-affected individuals and communities.
- NSW Health has mental health information and support services for people impacted by disasters.
- Service NSW has information on mental health support for storm and flood affected businesses.
- Phoenix Australia has provided floods and cyclones mental health resources.
Financial assistance for individuals and businesses
- Service NSW provides storm and flood assistance for businesses. The disaster recovery assistance is available to businesses that are in eligible NSW local government areas (LGAs) that have been impacted by the storms and floods from 10 March 2021.
- The Commission for Small Business have information on support services available for small business owners who have suffered direct damage to their assets or loss of income as a result of the floods.
- Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has issued a media release declaring a catastrophe for flood affected areas of NSW. This declaration serves to escalate and prioritise the insurance industry’s response for affected policyholders. For advice and guidance phone the ICA hotline on 1800 734 621.
- Service NSW has a number of resources available to help people and businesses impacted by the severe storms and floods. The customer care service has a disaster assistance finder where you can complete an online questionnaire to receive a personalised list of available programs and services.
- Westpac released the Westpac Flood Support Fund on March 24, 2021 providing access to grants for customers and employees with significant damage to their home or business because of the recent severe weather events. Phone Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497.
- Free counselling is available for the community via the Department of Human Services. Community members can visit their nearest recovery centre, evacuation centre, mobile services centre or primary health network mental health services for support.
