Despite the prevalence of mental health issues after extreme climate events such as bushfires or floods, many people do not receive adequate support. The lack of accessible and evidence-based mental health services further exacerbates the already challenging recovery process.
This is concerning, because treating early signs of acute stress, depression and anxiety is essential to preventing the development of chronic mental health disorders, including major depressive, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
A recovery program for communities
We're developing EMERGE, a disaster recovery program that will address emerging signs of mental health decline in people impacted by extreme weather events and associated disasters.
The 10-week program will activate three months and beyond after a disaster, by providing:
- Six telehealth sessions with a trauma informed coach, for community members affected
- Online resources that explain common symptoms post-disaster and provide evidence-based strategies to manage them
- An on-the-ground presence to ensure the program meets local needs and complements local services
Resource topics
- Understanding the impact of a disaster
- Stress and anxiety after a disaster (Part A: Understanding what happens)
- Stress and anxiety after a disaster (Part B: Strategies to help)
- Our reactions after a disaster and how to manage them
- Building resilience to improve our wellbeing
- The experience of loss and grief after a disaster
- Maintaining my healthy self
- Social connections and their importance
- Moving through and moving forward
Based on success
EMERGE is being based on our successful EMERALD program in which participants achieved an 86% decrease in depression severity, 84% reduction in anxiety severity, and 83% improvement in functioning.
Project progress
We expect to complete program development in 2024, thanks to funding support from the Australian Government's Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program and the Queensland Government Flood Recovery Grants Program.
We welcome further partnerships that will enable EMERGE to be activated in communities when they need it.