The last couple of weeks have been very busy finding and refining the support structures that are in place over the terrible events that faced us over the summer period.

The Pastoral team were fortunate to have a meeting last week with Headspace who are setting up an office in Batemans Bay over the next couple of months.  They are hoping to have counsellors and other services in place over the next couple of weeks to help support young people aged 12-25.  They are going to offer out their services to all of the community as a matter of priority.

Yesterday 12 students represented Carroll College at the Eurobodalla Bushfire Forum, held in Moruya, accompanied by Mr Foster.  This was an opportunity for young people to speak about the support that they see they and their peers need.  This opportunity was important to ensure that the support services put in place are what students have identified they require to ensure good mental health.

Below are some tips from Beyond Blue regarding Mental Health after bushfires:

Bushfires and mental health

Communities and individuals affected by bushfire can experience a range of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can be intense, confusing and frightening.  

These are common reactions to an extraordinary situation. Fear, for example, is an important and normal reaction that helps activate our body and mind to make decisions to protect our own lives and the lives of loved ones, friends and neighbours. It is also normal for the memory of intense fear to stay with us.

After a bushfire, many people deal with memories and ongoing feelings by drawing on their own strengths, as well as the support of others, and will gradually rebuild their lives and achieve a sense of wellbeing again.

However, it is common that some people struggle to deal with feelings and thoughts that result from a bushfire or from the tragic losses that may occur. It's important to know the difference between a common reaction to a stressful or traumatic event and signs that indicate you should seek additional support. 

Common reactions

These reactions can be severe and are at their worst in the first week after the event, however, in most cases, they fade over a month. If your day-to-day functioning is seriously affected for more than one month after the event, it's important to discuss it with a GP or mental health professional. These reactions include:

• feeling overwhelmed
• feeling numb and detached
• inability to focus
• inability to plan ahead
• constant tearfulness
• intrusive memories or bad dreams related to the bushfires
• sleep disturbances
• constant questioning – "What if I had done x, y or z, instead?"
• 'replaying' the event and inventing different outcomes in order to be prepared should it happen again.

It is also important to understand that a friend, loved one or work colleague may see these reactions in you, often when you do not. They may see you are detached, unfocused, anxious, or tearful without provocation. Listen to the opinions of those you trust. It is a sign of respect to friends and family to act on their advice and discuss these issues with a GP or mental health professional. 

If you experience any of these symptoms at any time, seek help from a GP or mental health professional:

• a sense that your emotional and/or physical reactions are not normal
• thoughts of self-harm or of ending your life
• loss of hope or interest in the future
• avoiding things that bring back memories of what happened to the point where you're unable to carry out day-to-day tasks 
• frequently being easily startled e.g. jumping when a door slams, and then taking a long time to calm down
• feeling overwhelming fear for no obvious reason
• panic attack symptoms: increased heart rate, breathlessness, shakiness, dizziness and a sudden urge to go to the toilet
• excessive guilt about things that were or weren't said and done.

 Dealing with the emotional impact of a bushfire

• spend time with people who care
• give yourself time
• find out about the impact of trauma and what to expect
• try to keep a routine going
• talk about how you feel about what happened when you are ready
• do things that help you relax
• set realistic goals that keep you motivated, but don't take on too much (most people in this situation talk of recovery as a journey, not a sprint)
• review and reward progress – notice even the small steps
• be prepared for times when you feel you are making no progress, everyone experiences this
• talk about the ups and downs of recovery with friends, family and the health professionals involved in your care
• have a plan to maintain positive changes and plans to deal with times of stress or reminders of the trauma.

Source:https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/bushfires-and-mental-health/

If any families need further assistance with access to services please get in contact with the Pastoral Team at the College who can help put students and their families in touch with the appropriate support.

Nathan Mansfield

Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

nathan.mansfield@cg.catholic.edu.au