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Bushfire Recovery Social, Health and Wellbeing

Bushfire Recovery Social, Health and Wellbeing. Australian Psychological Society 14 February 2013 Carole Owen State Operations Manager Bushfire Recovery DHHS. Social Recovery. Lessons from the Victorian experience – “Community Led”

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Bushfire Recovery Social, Health and Wellbeing

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  1. Bushfire RecoverySocial, Health and Wellbeing Australian Psychological Society 14 February 2013 Carole Owen State Operations Manager Bushfire Recovery DHHS

  2. Social Recovery • Lessons from the Victorian experience – “Community Led” • Organised Rob Gordon, Clinical Psychologist – in what to expect. • 1st level: responding to immediate needs: • Accommodation, food, clothing, financial assistance • 2nd level: reachingout / ‘being there’ • Registration, information, personal support, referral • 3rd level: providinglonger term assistance: • Specialist support, counselling • Outreach Program – co-ordinated by Red Cross • Leadership for all of the above, provided by experienced team of Community Health Social Workers. • Use existing service providers, known to the community.

  3. Red Cross + Social Work - Outreach • active referrals and follow up • Present at Australia Day long weekend celebrations

  4. Expressed Needs - Sorell / Tasman

  5. Our Approach • Must be community led. • Recognise needs will change over time. • Utilise the specialist expertise of existing Community Health Social Workers. • Already been told – “too many people knocking on our doors, give us some space”. This might signal a shift from ‘appreciation to frustration / annoyance’ • Sensitive to this – may not be everyone – may be a vocal few. • Who is not participating? • Be mindful of particular groups – aged, isolated, living alone, pre-existing health concerns, those whose properties are ok. • Have a presence, build trust, be flexible and responsive.

  6. Current Focus • Stopped outreach activity for now. • Social workers are following up on referrals. • Ongoing presence at service hubs: • Nubeena/MPC, Murdunna, Dunalley, Sorell • Providing information, personal support and referral • Support local community reps and local community groups • Graham Millar – Murdunna , Caroline Bigwell – Boomers Bay • Fiona Jennings – Dunalley, Yve Earnshaw - Neighbourhood House • Back to School, working with Education support staff (social workers and psychologists) • Community development activities as they emerge – e.g. garden restoration • Local BBQs • Strengthen the existing service provider network – use this to identify emerging needs and co-ordinate services. • Information session with NGO’s Friday 1 February

  7. Current Focus con’t • Developing referral pathways to secondary and specialist services - MH, Drug and Alcohol, Domestic Violence, Lifeline • Aware of those who are not on the Peninsula: • Who have we missed? • People staying with friends / family / new rental? • Tourists / visitors who were traumatised? • Revisiting other affected areas – Derwent Valley, Bicheno • Implement information system for planning and reporting – “Major Incident Support System (MISS)” • Assist with the co-ordination of volunteers, St Vincent de Paul distribution of donated goods. 350 pallets – just in the South! • 2nd Visit Rob Gordon • General Information session, and front line workers

  8. Social Recovery Plan –under development Objective 1 Local communities lead their own recovery from the impact of the bushfires. Objective 2 Health and personal support services are available. Objective 3 The community is strengthened by the recovery process. Objective 4 The social recovery plan is linked with other recovery plans for the affected communities. Objective 5 Reporting and evaluation

  9. Where are we at? • “Emergency Mode” persists till threat is reduced, life stabilises, immediate problems are solved. 2-6 months • “Endurance Mode” till stress subsides, plans are made, routines established, reserves are replenished. 9-18 months • Signs of Stress: • Become active, focussed, self-sufficient, impatient, grim, intolerant • Reduced reasoning, struggle to make strategic decisions, prioritise, make long term gaols, lateral thinking, • Emotional life is raw, intense, giving out a lot or just coping rather than feeling enriched or satisfied, needs are greater than supplies • Social life simplified, neglected, reduced empathy, intolerance, intense involvement because of how feeling • Loss of self reflection, experiences not “owned” • Amazing strength, support and resilience

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