Mental health support flows as Bega Valley bushfire recovery continues

People seeking sanctuary on Tathra Beach as the flames of March 18 moved into the town. Photo: Simone Ward Facebook.

Money is flowing to support good mental health in the wake of the March 18 bushfires that moved in on Tathra and surrounds.

NSW Federal Liberal Senator, Jim Molan announced the $250,000 for extra counselling services at the Recovery Centre in Bega set up to manage the physical and emotional rebuilding that will take place in the months ahead.

“This will be a hard time for many families and we want to make sure the people of Tathra have mental health support available to them during such a difficult time,” Senator Molan says.

“Although most people will recover from traumatic events like emergencies and disasters without the need for professional intervention, up to 20 percent of people are still at risk of developing significant mental health conditions.”

The money will go towards boosting the capacity of local services and providing counselling support to people in the short to medium term, with the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network (PHN) to engage with local providers to see what additional services are required to ensure local needs are met.

“What that [money] turns into is going to depend on the feedback the PHN gets, the CEO has gone out this morning and asked local health providers and GP’s to make suggestions. They’ll see the problems first up, and they will be able to come back and make suggestions as to how we might use this money,” Senator Molan says.

Bega Valley Mayor, Kristy McBain is encouraging people to keep an eye on all Tathra, Vimy Ridge, and Reedy Swamp residents.

“Obviously the physical landscape has changed, and while that might be the easy part to tackle, the psychological scars might take a lot longer to come out in people,” Cr McBain says.

“And it’s not only those people who have been directly impacted, there are people in Tathra who haven’t been fully impacted that are starting to feel those scars.

“We just need to be mindful that people are going to go through this at different times and in a variety of different ways and however we can help, we’ll be there.”

The emergency services who responded on that Sunday afternoon and the days that have followed are also encouraged to seek support and strength from the channels available now and in the future.

NSW Senator, Jim Molan, Peter Murray, South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, and Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Cr Kristy McBain. Photo: Ian Campbell.

“Your GP practice is a really good starting point,” says Peter Murray, representing the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network.

“They’re a real entry point to lots of other services locally so if people have some concerns, and if those concerns are interfering with how they enjoy their life and how they go about their life then talking to your GP is a really good starting point.”

Mr Murray also points people to the disaster-specific mental health advice on the Beyond Blue website.

“It’s a great resource that is there when people need it and helps people recognise that what they are feeling may be a common reaction to such an event,” he says.

“There are some great suggestions about the action you can take now that will help you through.”

If you have been impacted by the Tathra – Reedy Swamp fire and would like counselling assistance, contact The Recovery Centre at the Bega Civic Centre which is open every day and can be contacted on 6499 2475.

*This article first appeared on RiotACT