Coping with bushfires

[Sophie_M]

Beyond Blue would like all individuals accessing our online forums in relation to Australia’s bushfire crisis to know that we are here for them.

If you’re feeling worried, we want you to know that it’s okay and you are not alone.

The impacts of this crisis will be ongoing and everyone will have different experiences, thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Even if you haven't been directly affected by these fires you may still feel sad, overwhelmed, stressed and upset.

We hope that you will use this safe, understanding space to talk, share and support one another on a united front.

It can be difficult to know what to say in times like these.

The forum community have been engaging in discussions that you may find helpful: Are you managing to be ok with all these dreadful bushfires?

You may wish to share what you are doing to help cope, or simply to share your experience with others.

Beyond Blue has developed a dedicated resource about bushfires and mental health, including practical advice about dealing with the emotional impact of bushfires, information about the signs and symptoms of emotional distress, tips for supporting children and young people, and links to several useful websites.

Taking care of yourself:

• Limit your exposure to social media – it’s okay to have a break and it’s important you make sure you’re not becoming overwhelmed.
• Speak with our friendly forum community about how you’re feeling
• Set realistic goals that keep you motivated, but don't take on too much (most people in this situation talk of recovery as a journey not a sprint)
• Give yourself time

Seeking help when you are in a bushfire affected area:

• Follow the advice of your local state fire services if you are in a bushfire affected area.
  State fire services:
  NSW RFS
  QLD RFS
  VIC
  SA
  TAS
  NT
  WA
  ACT

• If you require emergency support please contact 000

As a community, let’s help one another through sharing and connecting during this difficult time. This could be by listing links to articles or resources you have found helpful, tips for what is working to help you manage or sharing your thoughts, feelings or experience related to the bushfire crisis.  

Whatever it may be, we're here. 

[SquireHarbour]

I also respect what you are saying, but seeing what our government is doing in response to the bushfire crisis (or rather, what has not been doing) is distressing to everyone, of course people are going to be outraged. I live 3,000 kms from the bushfires, and even its affecting my anxiety for what is going on... seeing dead animals, whole lives ruined, you can't exactly lecture people on how they can respond or who they can blame for their distress.

I agree with Lady Nova that seeing this lack of responsible leadership is extremely debilitation to people who has lost everything and is looking to our political leaders for the slightest bit that they care.

And currently, all indications that they.. aren't. And that is distressing and traumatic for me in a time where the whole world is seemingly going mad with blind zealotry and I thought me and my friends are just pawns in some game........

[Guest_6465]

Replying to all again. Making this a partisan issue is not helping anyone. Originally from Port Macquarie, I helped rescue and rehabilitate koalas in all degrees of injury from the fires in 1994-5, now 2/3rds of my fur babies are wiped out?

Why?

Because the local NPWS let that fire fester after a dry lightening strike for days without sending out so much as mobile striker to get it out. Why? Because I know through in the filed experience. They get paid the same amount for doing nothing or going beyond the call. And let's not forget that most NPWS salary collectors are Greens and Labor voters.

[Lady_Nova]

respectfully, your experience crafts your perspective, my experience has crafted my perspective. Having not lived my life means you cannot debunk my opinions so you can stop trying. I am suffering in a ravaged landscape, suffering mental illness and caring for 3 family members and a medically fragile person I have taken into my home due to evacuations. I think I have a right to not have my experience and proximity to disaster made out to be less than or dismissed as "partisan" when my politics have not even been alluded to by myself. Allow us our grief, and our expression without judgement. This is a place to help heal, not to be right

[Aaronsis]

Hi AurthurFleck and Lady Nova and SquireHarbour

I just want to jump in and say that we are all hurting and we are all very emotional about the leadership of our country, what they are and are not doing. If we can just park that over to one side and be here for support to care for each other and to help in a time when we are so very raw and emotional and seeing our country on her knees.

If we can take some time to think about the goodness that has come out of all of this, the amazing work that the volunteers are doing and making us so very proud as Australians. From helping save wildlife and serving and making food. There is even a town about 800km from Brisbane that has essentially "opened" to let people stay in their motels and rental homes and have welcomed people to come and stay until they get on their feet.

There is so much love about and we can all have our thoughts and beliefs and feelings and they can be different, different doesn't mean we have to be right or we have to be in dispute.

Hugs to every one here, please stay kind and love is what will get us through this, together.

Sarah

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

Just to redirect (if thats okay!) to Sophie_M's original title which is 'Coping with Bushfires'

Its only my opinion that its way too early to focus on the 'blame game' as the fires are still active and so is the suffering and pain that people are going through

Lady Nova mentioned "Allow us our grief, and our expression without judgement. This is a place to help heal, not to be right"

lets be mindful of the people that have been effected by these wildfires....even indirectly 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[quirkywords]

I have suffered many losses in the fires and my life has changed. I have been touched by the kindness of strangers .I am so exhausted . For all those suffering directly or indirectly be kind to yourself.

I am finding it hard to receive as I have always been a giver.

I cry a lot.

I am forgetful

I am vague

I cant make decision

cant sleep

I feel like this has happened to another

People say I am lucky because I am safe and I am but I don't feel lucky.

People say things can be replaced and some can but I lost my way of life which defined me and that takes time.

I want to help others here,by being honest.

Quirky

[blondguy]

Dear Quirky

I am sad you have experienced losses in these wildfires Quirky not to mention the way you are feeling too! After being through such a stressful time you are still wanting to help others...This is super caring of you..

Can I ask if you have sought some basic counselling during this crisis? You seem past exhausted..seriously 😞

Your wellness comes first (after what you have posted about how you are) before helping others....and I fully understand you are a person that gives so much to so many

I have also been effected by this crisis and with all respect I hope you can place yourself first at this time Quirky

Huge Hugs

Paul

[quirkywords]

paul,

thanks for your kind words. Sorry you have been affected by this crisis, it is sad that most people have in some way. My village is less than half what it was. I am safe in a big city with family but I am disconnected from friends.

The other thing when images of my place were on the news and everyone knew what had happened and didn't.

I am getting help Paul. My way of coping is to help others and share my story.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Quirky (& a wave to all),

Quirky, I’m so sorry. I don’t even know what to say...

I can’t even imagine what you must be going through right now. The trauma, loss, shock and confusion...

I know that you have a generous and compassionate heart, and that giving and sharing is part of your way of coping. But I think it’s also okay to directly receive help and to even ask for help sometimes...you can’t pour from an empty cup...that cup needs to be regularly refilled.

So by all means give and share (as you do so beautifully and generously), but I hope you also allow yourself to be helped sometimes too...

We are all here with you...

How I wish that I could give you a big hug...thinking of you and everyone who has been affected by the bushfires...

Pepper xoxo

[Lady_Nova]

Hi Quirky
I feel like we must live close, or at least in kindred. I am, like you, totally lost in this. The me that was before is struggling to connect with the now. Even the coverage of smoke that still lingers is mentally cutting me off from the world. I dont want to leave the house because it frightens me to confront the totality of devastation, The ashen soils, the blackened, naked needles of trees standing at attention, pointing at the grey sky, threatening to give up and topple, the angry, fearful, traumatised faces in the community. I feel unequal to the grief and too numb to give in to the anger that seems to infecting social media. I am crying whenever I stop and let the thoughts intrude. This thing, this event, this part of our memory is so consuming, I struggle to find a way forward.
I hope we both can find the calm to move forward.