Recovering from an emergency

Damage to your home

If your place of residence is impacted by a house fire, flood or storm damage that has rendered it uninhabitable, emergency relief assistance may be available. We can assist with information and referral to services that can help you find temporary accommodation, financial assistance, and counselling services.

Damage to agricultural property and livestock

The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) has a range of information available to assist with managing livestock and horses before, during and after an emergency. For more information visit the DEDJTR website.

Trauma Support

A traumatic event is something which threatens a person's life or safety, or that of the people around them.

Road Trauma

Road Trauma is one of the most frequently occuring forms of trauma. Road Trauma Support Services Victoria offers individual and family counselling, support groups and referral services for people impacted by road trauma. They can be contacted at 1300 367 797 (9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday).

Common Responses to Trauma

There are a number of reactions people may experience which are considered to be normal. These reactions may occur either quickly or sometime after the event.

Explore the sections below to see how traumatic events can affect people’s behaviour, thinking and feelings.

Behaviour

Some examples of changes in behaviour to watch out for are;

Change in relationships with others
Trouble sleeping
Loss of concentration
Physical change such as lack of appetite, tiredness and generally feeling unwell
Change to work patterns

Thinking

Some of the ways in which Thinking can change as a result of trauma are;

Memories/past experiences
Dreams/nightmares
Confusion/memory loss
Irrational thoughts/mood swings

Feeling

Trauma can affect how people are in feeling in many ways such as;

Grief
Sadness
Loss of control
Frustration
Shock
Fear
Anxiety
Anger
Blame

Additional Help and Support Services

Lifeline

13 11 14 (24 hour line) or www.lifeline.org.au

24-hour telephone counselling, personal support and referral services following any incident. Face to face counselling also available.

Parentline

13 22 89 or www.parentline.vic.gov.au

Hope Bereavement Care

(03) 4215 3358

Free Grief Support for adults over 18

1300 845 745

Kids Help Line

1800 551 800 or www.kidshelp.com.au

Personal and family support and counselling for people within the Barwon area affected following the death of a young person under the age of 18 years.

1300 308 307 (24 hour line)

Beyond Blue

1300 224 636 (24 hour line)

24-hour information and referral line

providing information on depression, anxiety and related disorders

Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry

7037 6010 (9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday)

Personal Support and advocacy services.

Department of Human Services