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Mental health after a disaster

Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health—this is even more important following Queensland's natural disasters. To maintain positive mental health and wellbeing, it is important to:

  • connect with friends, family and your community
  • be active and healthy
  • relax
  • recognise the early signs that you may not be coping
  • ask for help—talk to your doctor or phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24-hour assessment, referral, advice and contacts for your local hospital or community health centre.

Helpful resources

You and your family members may also find the following helpful:

More information

  • A free bereavement service is available for family members who lost someone as a result of Queensland's past summer of natural disasters. The team of allied health professionals tailor support specifically to an individual's—or family's—needs as they work through their grief. Support from the Queensland Government funded bereavement service can be arranged by calling (07) 3121 1441.
  • Beyond Blue's Looking after yourself and your family after a disaster (PDF, 2.53MB) is a free downloadable book that explores common reactions to a disaster, dealing with emotions and what to do if the distress doesn't settle.

Help for adults

  • 13 HEALTH phone 13 43 25 84 (24 hour assessment, referral, advice and contacts for your local hospital or community health centre).
  • ARAFMI phone 1800 351 881 (24 hour support for family, friends and carers of people with mental illness).
  • Beyondblue Info Line phone 1300 224 636 (24 hour information and referral about depression and anxiety).
  • Mental Health Association of Queensland phone 1300 729 686 (8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, mental health information and referral).
  • Parentline phone 1300 301 300 (support, counselling and parent education from 8am to 10pm).
  • SANE helpline phone 1800 187 263 (information, advice and referral on mental illness).

You can also talk to your doctor or community health nurse about assessment, referrals and a mental health care plan.

Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0)
Last updated:
22 April 2013

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