Nearing the one-year anniversary of the Black Summer bushfires, SANE Australia is encouraging Far South Coast residents to focus on their mental wellbeing as part of bushfire recovery.
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The group has developed a new online resource called Life After Bushfires to help.
Life After Bushfires is a new digital mental health resource featuring local stories from those with complex mental health issues who experienced the bushfires, and provides information, tailored support services and connection for anyone impacted by the natural disaster.
Wolumla resident Hayley is among those featured, diagnosed with OCD five years ago and managing anxiety for about eight years, she detailed how quickly the summer fires stripped people of control.
"It started when we had what I refer to as a 'ring of fire' - there were fires on the other side of Bega, there were fires burning towards Eden, closing in on the Merimbula area," Hayley said.
"I manage anxiety every day so it was quite profound to be not able to control it."
Hayley said the company of good friends Jessie and Elyse helped her through and said there were valuable lessons to take away from extreme events like the fires.
"I'm very conscious of looking after myself now," she said. "There is a power of resilience, you just get better at managing it, if you can get through something like that - you can get through more."
SANE Australia CEO Jack Heath said mental health can be overlooked in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events like the recent bushfires.
"The mental health impacts of traumatic events like the bushfire crisis can be huge, and long lasting. For people with a history of trauma or a complex mental health issue, this is particularly important. These people can be incredibly resilient in times of crisis, and often step in to help others in need, but after the worst is over, the delayed impact on them can be significant," Mr Heath said.
He said recovery was a long process and the time was right to invest in the support people need. Resources include stories from local people with complex mental health issues who where affected by the bushfires.
A new Life After Bushfires section on the SANE Australia website provides information on services and supports to assist recovery, practical advice on self-care and the importance of looking after yourself.
There is also a dedicated section on the SANE Forums for people to connect with others and share experiences in a safe and moderated space. The SANE Forums are anonymous and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Individual counselling services are accessible Mon-Fri 10am-10pm. Visit www.sane.org/lifeafterbushfires/ for more information.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is always available
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636, www.beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au
Bega Headspace: 1800 959 844, headspace.org.au
Bega Valley Shire Council's Bushfire Recovery Support Service (Case management and person to person support for everyone impacted by the 2020 Bega Valley Bushfire): 6499 2345 or recovery@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
