Tathra bushfire trauma recovery receives $250k boost

The announcement of $250,000 for additional mental health services is to be made at the Bega Valley Shire Council chambers on Tuesday morning.

Senator Jim Molan, patron senator for Eden-Monaro, will be making the announcement and said he well understood the wide spectrum of support required across the community.

“As someone who has lost a home to bushfire myself; I think I understand the anguish people are feeling. I want to help the community assist those people as much as possible and for as long as possible,” Senator Molan said.

South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network (PHN) will receive the $250,000 to meet the need arising from trauma and loss associated with the bushfire.

PHN CEO Dianne Kitcher said although most people will recover from traumatic events like emergencies and disasters without the need for professional intervention, up to 20 per cent of people are still at risk of developing mental health conditions.

“A lot of disaster relief is right at the beginning, which is fantastic, but when they pack up and leave there is still an ongoing need for services,” Ms Kitcher said.

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“A lot of stress and anxiety comes later on. We can see increased demand over the next six to 12 months.

“After a disaster everyone pitches in to help, but over time – and this will take a long time to rebuild 65 homes – it does take its toll.

“But knowing they’ve got extra support is key and we [South Eastern PHN] need to make sure the local services have what they need to provide that support.”

Ms Kitcher said the provision of $250,000 could mean extra personnel, but also counsellors opening up extra sessions to those affected, or even hosting sessions in different places – “giving people access to the services as and where they are needed”.

“We’re talking to GPs and other service providers to find out what they’re seeing, and what they need going forward.”