Bushfire Crisis Care

The team at Roses in the Ocean send our heartfelt thoughts to anyone affected by the bushfires that continue to spread around Australia. We share your pain, sorrow and fear. We also recognise that there is still a long way to go and the impacts will be felt for months and years to come.
We have found several sources of information that may help with your emotional and mental health, along with an article on how to support children during this time of crisis. Please see links below. As more resources become available we will add them here and share them on our Facebook pages.
In these extremely difficult times, we encourage you to look after yourself and maintain or even amplify your regular self-care routine. As a member of Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience Collective, we also know that you are empathetic and willing to offer assistance to those in need.
Emergency Services, local councils, numerous charities and community groups are all working together to best manage the social as well as economic and environmental impacts of the bushfires. Many of you may already volunteer for organisations such as Lifeline and we salute your selflessness during this national crisis.
Many organisations are already inundated with donations and offers of support, so you may want to consider your own localised initiatives; checking on neighbours, cooking and sharing a meal, taking the kids off their parents’ hands for a few hours, housing pets or livestock, or simply lending an ear to those who need to talk it out.
We know there may not be time or indeed the ability to read this information now, so please save the post or bookmark the website for a time that is suitable.
Stay safe everyone.
Bushfire Crisis Resources
Life in Mind – Mental Health Support for Bushfire Affected Communities
Lifeline Bushfire Helpline
13 HELP – 13 43 57
Australian Government Mental Health Response to Bushfire Trauma
Emerging Minds Community Trauma Toolkit
Helping Children Cope with the Bushfires
Australian Government Department of Human Services – Bushfire Assistance
Australian Psychological Society – Australian bushfires 2020: Psychological preparation and recovery
NSW Government – Mental health support for bush fire affected communities
ANU College of Health and Medicine – Bushfire resources for practitioners, teachers etc
SA Health – General Bushfire information including mental health
Federal Government Health Department – Head to Health
Relationships Australia (NSW) are offering free counselling over the phone, online or in person to those affected by the fires – 1300 364 277
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please seek help immediately.
Key national 24/7 crisis support services
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia 1300 789 978
- Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
- Open Arms Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service 1800 011 046
- QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia
Key national youth support services
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
- Headspace 1800 650 890
- ReachOut