Access to mental health information and peer support will be crucial as bushfire-affected communities come to terms with the disaster, a specialised emergency psychologist says.
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Dr Rob Gordon, a 25-year Australian Red Cross disaster consultant, says some bushfire victims will be highly distressed by their experience during the emergency, while others will struggle with ongoing disruption to their lives.
They are likely to feel overtly upset in the short-term - when tears and fear might be expected - but deeper and longer-lasting feelings about the disaster can set in as time passes.
Dr Gordon, who has worked extensively with survivors of the Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday fires, said those affected should attend community meetings and events to draw support from others with similar experiences.
"Lots of research shows that people who are involved in community activities do better and recover quicker," he said on Thursday.
The clinical psychologist added that mental health professionals will play an important role in recovery, but general information must also be made available.
"Many people won't have ever been through anything like this before and one of the general features of stress is that it shuts down our awareness of our own state," he said.
"The communities need general education and education to help them reflect on their own state and take care of themselves."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed this week the government is working on a mental health package for bushfire-affected regions.
He said the issue was being treated as a "high priority", but was not prepared to make any further announcement on the policy.
The federal opposition is pushing for a suite of measures, including lifting the 10-session cap on Medicare-rebatable counselling sessions in affected communities.
The NSW government has already directed $6 million of its $231 million disaster assistance fund to extra mental health services.
Dr Gordon said recovery is possible, but often involves embracing a "new future" or opportunities for change.
"If you've lost a house, your farm's destroyed, we know that in a few years' time people can re-establish themselves but often they'll need to redesign things," he said.
"It might be a time to stop and think: is this what we should be doing?"
Australian Associated Press
