Mental Health Matters

Taking care of yourself after this latest flood event.

It’s normal and common to experience emotional reactions during and after a disaster such as flooding.

There are things you can do to support your wellbeing though.

According to mindspot.org.au, there are key skills and strategies that can help you rebuild and recover after a natural disaster.

These include:

1. Keeping healthy routines. Maintaining structure and routine helps us cope with stress and restore a sense of predictability in our lives. Think regular nutritious meals, staying hydrated and try to get some decent sleep.
2. Managing your emotions. It’s normal for our emotions to become heightened after a stressful event. Try slow breathing, going for a walk, talking to someone or a mindfulness activity to help keep grounded.
3. Social Connection. People with a strong support network are at less risk of mental health difficulties after a natural disaster. Talk to your friends and family, and stay in touch with valued members of your community.
4. Giving yourself time to adjust. We need time to mourn losses, rebuild a sense of normalcy and regain a sense of control. Be as patient and compassionate towards yourself as you would be to others going through a tough time.
5. Doing things you love and enjoy. It may not feel right at the time, but research  shows this is an important way to de-stress and re-establish a sense of normalcy. This in turn helps you cope better with the aftermath of a disaster.
6. Accessing supports. It’s normal and common for our mental health to be impacted following a disaster. If you’re struggling, let someone know. Reach out to a family member, a friend, your local GP (phone: 47 464 080) or services like Lifeline (phone: 13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (phone: 1300 22 46 36). If it’s an emergency, please call Triple Zero (phone: 000) immediately.

In addition to taking care of your emotional wellbeing, don’t forget to take care of your physical health. Watch for respiratory and skin infections, especially if you have been exposed to flood waters and/or other environmental hazards such as mosquitoes.

If you have any kind of health concern coming out of this flood event, please seek medical advice as soon as practicable. The Julia Creek MPHS is open 24/7.

Living in Western Queensland can mean long distances, limited services, and sometimes feeling like support is a long way away. With recent floods impacting communities across North and Central Western Queensland, these challenges are even more real, but help is closer than you think.

The Medicare Mental Health Phone Line is a free, confidential service available to anyone who needs mental health support, no matter where you live. You don’t need a referral or appointment, just a phone.

•  Call 1800 595 212 (weekdays 8:30am–5pm, excluding public holidays) to speak with someone who will listen, provide guidance, and help connect you with services in your local area.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling with stress, or just not sure where to start, support is only a call away.

This service is funded by the Australian Government and is completely free to access.

If you or someone you care about in Western Queensland needs a helping hand, please don’t hesitate to make the call.

For more information: https://bit.ly/s27-medicare-mental-health

Useful Link Resourses

Emotional wellbeing Following a natural disaster(PDF, 291KB)

Lifeline  :   Lifeline Understanding Natural Disasters  

Finding calm after a crisis: how to look after your mental wellbeing and physical health after a natural disaster | Queensland Health