Special Update: Bushfire Mental Health Response and Support

As we welcome in 2020, we know that thousands of Australians are feeling the ongoing impacts of the national bushfire crisis.

Disasters such as this can bring with them considerable mental health impacts and it is so important we look after ourself and those around us. 

Last week the Federal Government announced a $76 million investment to support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, including first responders, affected by the bushfires. The Commission has published a media release which goes into further depth about the mental health package.

If you have been personally affected by the bushfires, I encourage you to access this support and to share this information with your family, friends and colleagues who may require support during this difficult time.

Across the sector, there have been incredible resources and toolkits developed to assist in responding to distress during and after the bushfires. I wanted to share with you a webpage the Commission has developed in collaboration with the Life in Mind team at Everymind, and the mental health sector, that brings together existing resources and information into one location.

To date, we are seeing incredible strength and resilience across the country with Australians pulling together to support one another. Let’s continue to stand together, check in with our neighbours and take care of our own wellbeing.

Christine Morgan
Chief Executive Officer
Commissioner