A year ago the Australian Black Summer bushfires ended –20 million hectares were burnt, more than 3,000 homes were destroyed and 33 people died. In the aftermath of the disaster many communities are still in recovery. Every year Australia braces for fires, droughts, floods and cyclones and the mental health impacts of them. So, it makes sense to have doctors trained in trauma informed care.

Phoenix Australia the centre for posttraumatic mental health have launched a Disaster Mental Health Hub website to provide training and resources to help professionals who support people experiencing the mental health impact of disasters. 

The Health minister Greg Hunt praised the resource saying ““General Practitioners and other health practitioners play an integral role in helping individuals and communities to recover in the aftermath of disasters”.

To find out more about this resource we spoke with Nicole Sadler AM CSC, Head Policy and Practice at Phoenix Australia the Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.

Photo supplied by Phoenix Australia (istock).