Recover

Health professionals help individuals and communities recover after disasters and emergencies. Here, you can find tips, mental health support and training opportunities.

Tips

communicate with patients about return to normal business hours

identify community population health needs post disaster and develop campaigns to address emerging needs e.g. focus on mental health assessments

identify and reach out to patients with increased vulnerability factors

connect with and refer to local social and community support agencies

Brisbane South PHN may help promote services available through our regular newsletters and social media channels.

Resources

Collaborate with the Australian Psychological Society to support staff wellbeing

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) Disaster Response Network is a national volunteer network of psychologists who have completed additional training to provide support to those who work or volunteer in highly stressful or demanding roles in response to disasters, emergencies, and other community events.
The past few years have been challenging for primary healthcare workers. Brisbane South PHN is promoting the APS Disaster Response Network, which offers free wellbeing checks and wellbeing sessions to primary care providers and their staff or volunteers in the region.
The Network allows employees to have a confidential one-time check-in with a registered APS Member Psychologist. This may be a chance to monitor your wellbeing levels and discuss experiences and challenges with a professional.
If further support is needed after the well-being check, the psychologist can provide advice and referral to appropriate resources. Checks and associated group Wellbeing Sessions support mental health and refreshes our skills to recognise when we need additional assistance.
Retaining skilled professionals in primary healthcare is essential, and employers participating in the APS DRN emphasise the importance of wellbeing and the value of their workforce.
The APS DRN wellbeing check program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
For more details or to enrol in this free service, email the APS at drn@psychology.org.au or visit the website at: Disaster Response Network | APS (psychology.org.au)

Mental health support for the community

Disasters affect everyone in the community, and mental health needs often emerge in the months following a disaster. Mental health support resources for the community are available below: