Bushfire support

Bushfires affect millions of people living in Australia. Those affected commonly seek support at any time during a bushfire season - before, during or after. Find personal stories of people affected by bushfires and links to further support below.

Get support

Following a traumatic event, it's common to experience a range of thoughts and feelings that can feel intense. If this resonates with you, then it may be helpful to seek support.

• Lifeline – 13 HELP (13 43 57) is a dedicated bushfire recovery line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any person needing support as a result of bushfires.
• Department of Human Services – Free counselling and additional mental health support for individuals, families and emergency services workers affected by the bushfires.
• NewAccess – a free and confidential service that provides support in the form of a coach. The program includes six free sessions tailored to your individual needs.
• Beyond Blue’s online forums – Share how you are feeling about the bushfires and offer support to those affected in our dedicated ‘Coping with bushfires’ thread.

Useful information and links

• Natural disasters and your mental health – learn what's a common reaction and when to seek further support from Beyond Blue
• Mental health support for bushfire-affected communities – Life in Mind
• How to deal with traumatic stress – Helpguide
• PTSD: signs, symptoms and available treatments – Beyond Blue
• Support for General Practitioners – support for GPs working within bushfire-affected communities from Phoenix Australia.
• Beyond Blue’s Be You Bushfire Response Program – mental health and wellbeing support for schools and early learning services affected by bushfires.

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