Thursday, 12 February 2009
The Brumby Government is working to provide support service for all Victorians affected by the devastating fires. Community Services and Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville said counsellors and mental health providers were on the front-line of bushfire relief and recovery.
“People need to remember that they, their family and their community are not alone. Help and support is available,” Ms Neville said.
“Communities across Victoria have been devastated by more than 400 bushfires that have swept across the state in the most severe weather conditions we’ve seen in our history, homes and lives have been lost.
“Many people have had harrowing experiences of the bushfires and have suffered major mental trauma and are in need of counselling and support.
“Counsellors are on the ground at Relief Centres across the state assisting Victorian families affected by the fires, Nurse-On-Call has been expanded to a health and counselling lines, and the Department of Human Services has mobilised mental health teams to support people to deal with the psychological and emotional impact of the fires through outreach services.”
Ms Neville said counsellors working at Relief Centres were doing a fantastic job supporting those affected by the fires.
“I can not express enough what a vital service these counsellors and mental health clinicians are providing,” she said.
Ms Neville said the role of mental health services would evolve as the time passed.
“The fires are still burning, different communities are at different stages in the recovery process and we are rolling out mental health services as they are needed,” she said.
Ms Neville said the Brumby Government was seeking expert advice on handling the trauma.
“We have never experienced a tragedy to this degree in Victoria or Australia, we are working closely with mental health professionals with extensive experience in international disaster response and recovery such as the Austin Trauma Related Mental Health Service who worked with those affected by the Bali bombings,” she said.
“What the experts are telling us is Victorian families affected by the fires will need to be supported not only in the short term but the long term, and we are committed to support Victorians through this tragic event.”
