Communities impacted by last summer’s devastating bushfires have not been forgotten.
This is the message from mental health service providers in Wollondilly and Wingecarribee, who have reassured the community they are not alone, and that there are a range of local support options available.
Psychologist Miriam Broadhurst said some people felt forgotten because the Covid-19 pandemic had overshadowed the needs of those impacted by the bushfires.
Ms Broadhurst provides support through Community Links Wellbeing’s You in Mind and ReFrame services.
She said many locals were not coping and were feeling tired.
“They are under-resourced in terms of accessing help to repair damage to their properties and this causes stress and anxiety.”
Ms Broadhurst said the community was “wounded” and without support would experience an increase in depression, suicide, anxiety, homelessness, unemployment and welfare in the years ahead.
“It is important that the community perceives that there is help, they are not alone and that people care about their situation and they are doing all they can,” she said.
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) has provided funding to local service providers to address these concerns and improve access to free mental health services to those impacted by the bushfires.
The Network are working with the South Western Sydney Local Health District, and Wingecarribee and Wollondilly councils to ensure a co-ordinated approach to service provision in our region.
Services include:
Outreach to affected communities of Wollondilly, Wingecarribee, Camden and Horsley Park, individual psychological therapies with mental health professionals and group services.
Specific services are available for children through the STAR4Kids program, young people through ReFrame and adults through You in Mind and the Credentialed Mental Health Nursing Service.
Community engagement officer with ReFrame, Alice Richards, pictured above, said many parents had told her their children were in denial about the impact of the fires which they believed would have lasting effects.
“I have spoken to many people about our free counselling service and have been told that they are glad to know the service is available and acknowledged that it is much needed,” she said.
You in Mind psychologist, Vanessa Kmet, pictured at right, said she was seeing people experiencing relationship breakdown, heightened agitation in all areas of their life, and feelings of worthlessness and depression.
She said her family had also been impacted by the bushfires and locals appreciated help coming from one of their own, someone who could sit with them and say: “it’s been terrible and we can rise up again, together”.
“After feeling uncertain that any support would be given, they are glad to see funding coming through.”
Services are continuing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with telehealth (phone or video) options available.
For more information about these services and to find your local service provider, download SWSPHN’s Bushfire Mental Health Support and Resources brochure.
