Australian bushfires: Psychological preparation and recovery

The current impact of bushfires on Australian communities is devastating. The APS has compiled a range of resources to help Australians to prepare and recover from the threat of bushfire.

Preparing for bushfires and disasters

Preparing for bushfires

Research shows that you are more likely to stick with a household plan if you have also prepared psychologically for a bushfire. Being able to manage your emotions in an emergency (that is, being psychologically prepared), can save your life and potentially the lives of others.

This information sheet outlines the steps to become psychologically prepared.
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Preparing children for the threat of bushfires

Hot days and the potential risk of more bushfires can lead to increased anxiety for many people. Children are also vulnerable, and the increased media coverage and discussion in the community, schools and at home about fires can raise their alarm. Parents and carers can help children to be aware of the threats, but also reassure them that they are safe and secure.

This information sheet can help parents and carers to look after children who are anxious about the threat of bushfires.
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Psychological First Aid

APS and Australian Red Cross guide to supporting people affected by disaster
This psychological first aid guide is for people working in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It provides an overview of best practice in psychological first aid following disasters and traumatic events.

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Recovering from bushfires and disasters

Looking after children who have been affected by bushfires

This information sheet will help parents and carers who are looking after children who have been affected by bushfires.
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Useful skills for disaster recovery

This series of information sheets provides general psychological strategies to help people to cope and recover after bushfires.

Helpful thinking

Following bushfires, many people’s way of thinking about the world and themselves may have shifted to have a very negative focus. This information sheet provides guidance about how to notice unhelpful thoughts and how to focus on helpful alternatives.
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The importance of social connections

One of the best things we can do for ourselves following a traumatic experience is to spend time with people who care about us, and to feel the social support of friends, family and the community. This information sheet provides some useful strategies for how to make connections with others.
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Taking time for pleasurable activities

Doing activities that are enjoyable is very important as a way of gaining a sense of control and purpose in life, and for giving pleasure. This information sheet provides guidance about the importance of giving yourself permission to do some of the things you have enjoyed in the past, persevering, and planning ahead so as to have things to look forward to.
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Managing emotional distress

Even after the danger of the bushfires has long passed, people can experience upsetting reactions, and these can go on for weeks, months or years.

This information sheet outlines four steps to managing emotional distress.
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Problem solving

Following bushfires, people can struggle with a variety of problems, from how to clean up their house block to worrying about arguments with their partner, or struggling to supervise children adequately in a new or altered environment.

This information sheet outlines four steps to solving problems.
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American Psychological Association resources

The American Psychological Association has many useful resources:

Tips for managing your distress related to wildfires
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Recovering from wildfires
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How to talk to children about difficult news
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Recovering emotionally from disaster
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Recovering emotionally after a residential fire
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The Road to Resilience
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Research School of Population Health at the Australian National University resources

The Research School of Population Health at the Australian National University has produced resources about how people can protect their health from bushfire smoke.

What is bushfire smoke and how harmful is it?
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How to protect yourself and others from bushfire smoke
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How to monitor local conditions
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Take care of your mental health and other's after bushfires
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