Floods can have many adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of communities that have borne the brunt of a natural disaster.
Health professionals caring for those impacted are not immune to these effects. We all need to look after and educate ourselves so that our health and wellbeing don’t suffer.
Self care
Looking after yourself during and following a flood event is an important part of the flood recovery process. To manage the stress and emotional roller coaster, try to take the time to rest, eat well and make time to focus on recovery.
Clinical psychologist, David Younger, has extensive experience providing support and assistance to communities throughout Australia affected by natural disasters and emergencies. Watch the following videos for useful recommendations and practical self-care strategies:
- Self-care during and after emergencies
- Promoting self-care when managing staff during and after emergencies
- The Griefline: Coping with Natural Disasters resource hub has a selection of self-care resources including tips for mindful breathing; journaling and meditation.
- Healthy North Coast’s Employee Assistance Program, AccessEAP. has been extended to all primary care services in our region. Find out about Access EAP here.
Education and tools
If you would like to upskill to provide the best care for colleagues and community members recovering from disasters, there are a range of training and resource opportunities:
HealthPathways offers health professionals local information to make the right decisions, together with patients, at the point of care. The pathways are designed primarily for general practice teams, but are also available to specialists, allied health professionals, and other health professionals in your region.
- Health Pathways Disaster Management – Mental Health
- Health Pathways Disaster Management – General Practice Response
- Drug and Alcohol/Addiction Medicine
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d
- Supporting individuals after disaster – (for general practitioners and GP practice clinics) — Phoenix Australia. Coupon code to access the training for free is: NCPHN54 (usually $308). Note: This training includes a case scenario specific to bushfires, however participants have provided feedback to say that the information can be applied to COVID and storms. 90 minutes plus optional modules.
- Approach to care: natural disasters – ACRRM
This course introduces you to some of the public health and psychosocial issues associated with environmental disasters and the role that can be played by primary health practitioners in responding to individual and community impact. - Communication after trauma – Practice Coach. This course outlines some practical tips to assist general practice staff to communicate with people who have experienced trauma.
- Coping with the realities of clinical workplace stress — delivered by Healthy North Coast, 26 August 2021
- NNSW recovery in the community, part one — delivered by: Healthy North Coast, 17 November 2020
- NNSW recovery in the community, part two — delivered by: Health North Coast, 24 November 2020
- Mental health in the wake of a flood — delivered by University of Nebraska Medical Centre (USA). 8-part recorded recovery series.
- Phoenix Australia Disaster Mental Health Hub — information, resources and training for professionals who support individuals and communities experiencing the mental health impacts of disasters.
- Best practice mental health interventions to deploy following disasters – Black Dog Institute
Recommendations for immediate, intermediate and long-term mental health strategies following a natural disaster - Community trauma toolkit – Emerging Minds
This resource provides a starting point for you to help children navigate the different stages of a disaster. - Managing emergencies in general practice – RACGP
A guide to assist practices in preparing, responding and recovering during a disaster. - Floods and health: fact sheets for health professionals – World Health Organisation
A living document that’s updated regularly. - Video: What is Trauma-Informed Care – Phoenix Australia
- Audio: Eavesdrop on a conversation between experts in disaster recovery
- Podcast: MHPN presents trauma and resilience (6 episodes)
- Helpline: Connect to Wellbeing 1300 160 339
After the Disaster podcast by Kate Brady (16 episodes)
Coping with a natural disaster – Mindspot