Disaster Resources
Listed below you will find many Australian and International resources providing information regarding children and disasters. We have also included specific resources relating to bushfires and floods. We have endeavoured to provide resources that provide useful and accurate information. If you have resources that you believe may be useful to include on this page, please contact us.
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On this page
Access links to webpages and pdf documents
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Australian bushfire and flood resources
Bushfires and Children
Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, South Australia
Provides a brief description of the impact that bushfires may have on children at different ages.
Effects of bushfires on children
Australian Early Childhood Association
Provides an overview of the possible impact that bushfires may have on children. Includes information regarding possible grief reactions and information for parents and caregivers.
Helping children who have been affected by bushfires: Guidelines for parents and caregivers
Australian Psychological Association
A one-page guide for parents providing information regarding the impacts of trauma on children, how they can recover and how to find them additional support.
After the Emergency
Australian Red Cross
An activity booklet for primary school children to help them think about what has happened during an emergency and to become aware of any feelings that they may have. Also includes the Get Ready! booklet - helping children to prepare for an emergency.
When there is a tragedy
Australian Early Childhood Association AND Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, South Australia
Information for parents and teachers supporting children - including those not directly affected by a tragedy such as the Victorian Bushfires.
Helping your children cope with the after effects of the bushfire disaster
Lifeline
Information on how children at different ages may react to the event of a bushfire and what can be done to help them.
Children of the bushfires face emotional recovery
ABC News
News report featuring Child Psychiatrist Brett McDermott discussing the impact of bushfires on children, including the incidence of post-traumatic stress following such a disaster.
Statewide bushfires information
Department of Human Services, Victoria
A Victorian Government site providing information regarding the impact of bushfires on health and wellbeing. Includes information on ways of coping with stress after the crisis.
Coping with the Victorian bushfires
Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health
Information on the impact the bushfires may have on people and how they can be assisted immediately after the crisis.
Recovering from the 2003 Canberra Bushfires: A work in progress
Emergency Management Australia
A research report by researchers from the Australian Catholic University, the University of Canberra and the ACT Department of Health. The report provides information on what helps people to recover after a disaster and what gets in the way of people recovering.
APS Bushfire Response
Australian Psychological Society
Includes guidelines for those working with communities affected by the bushfires. Includes summary of psychological first aid skills that may be used.
APS Bushfire Disaster Recovery Briefing
Australian Psychological Society
Includes audio files and transcripts of presentations at the March 2009 briefing for psychologists and other allied health professionals interested in the response to the Victorian bushfire disaster.
Guidelines for provision of psychological support
Australian Psychological Society
Outline of three levels of psychological support for people affected by bushfires: Level 1 Psychological first aid in the aftermath; Level 2 Skills for psychological recovery in the following weeks and months; Level 3 Mental health interventions when more intensive treatment is required.
Victorian Bushfire Information and Support
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Provides links to grief and bereavement organisations, general information and resources and useful websites.
Professor Brett McDermott on children in bushfires
Beyond Blue
Transcript of an interview with Professor McDermott speaking about how children and adolescents may be affected by the bushfires, how their parents can assist them and where they can find additional help if needed. (You may also listen to this interview here).
Victorian Bushfire Resources: Support for Children
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria
This website contains resources for parents, families and carers, schools and early childhood communitites and psychologists and social workers.
Australian Disaster Resources
Coping with a major personal crisis
Australian Red Cross
Booklet for families and workers. Describes how people may feel and react following a crisis and what can be done to provide support to those most affected.
After the emergency: Coping with a major personal crisis
Australian Red Cross
Transcript from an interview with Dr Rob Gordon - a clinical psychologist with many years experience in advising the Red Cross and governments on disaster-related matters.
National Emergency Management Strategy for Remote Indigenous Communities
Emergency Management Australia
Keeping our mob safe: National emergency management strategy for remote Indigenous communities is a response to an identified need for a practical approach by government at the local, state/territory and national levels, and by Indigenous communities to address the community emergency management priorities of remote Indigenous communities. Importantly, the strategy also takes into account the broader community safety priorities and needs of remote Indigenous communities, as related to emergency management.
Child and youth post-disaster emotional responses: the Cyclone Larry Children's Project
Professor Brett McDermott
Link to a powerpoint presentation by Professor Brett McDermott on findings from a research project looking at screening children and adolescents for emotional responses following Cyclone Larry.
The carers will need help too
Prof Beverley Raphael & Dr Penelope Burns
Australian Doctor, 19 Feb. 09
This article highlights the impact that working with individuals and communities affected by disasters has on health care professionals.
Mental health needs post disaster: Supporting recovery of children and families
Dr Elspeth Macdonald
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, Vol 56 (2), 2009
This editorial discusses the issues important to health professionals when working with children and families following disasters.
Review of Conservation of Resources workshop presented by Stevan Hobfoll March 2009
Michelle Roberts
Read a review of the workshop presented by Stevan Hobfoll for the Australian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS) in Melbourne 2009. There are references that appear at the end of this document.
International bushfire & flood resources
What you should know about the emotional impact of fires
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), US
Information for parents and schools on the emotional impact of fires on children and ways that they can be supported.
What you should know about the emotional impact of floods
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), US
Information for parents and schools on the emotional impact of floods on children and ways that they can be supported.
International disaster resources
Dr Claude Chemtob
This link is to a YouTube presentation of Dr Claude Chemtob, professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr Chemtob has worked extensively in the field of post traumatic stress, especially with children. In this video he discusses how traumatic events, like disasters, can cause post traumatic stress disorder, and how children can be affected differently to adults.
Children, Stress and Natural Disasters
University of Illinois, US
A set of resources for teachers and other child care or youth workers that helps prepare them for working with children who have been through a disaster. Includes a guide for teachers and school activities for teachers.
Helping children after a natural disaster: Information for parents and teachers
National Association of School Psychologists, US
Information on childrens' reactions to natural disasters, including information specifically for schools and information in helping children adjust to relocation after a natural disaster.
Helping children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters: What rescue workers can do.
National Institute of Mental Health , US
Provides steps rescue workers can take in the event of a disaster. Provides information on responses to disaster and violence by children and adolescents.
Helping children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters: What parents can do.
National Institute of Mental Health , US
Provides information for parents of children exposed to violence or disasters. Includes information on child and adolescent reactions to disasters and how to provide help, safety and reassurance.
Helping children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters: What community members can do.
National Institute of Mental Health , US
Provides information for community members in the event that children are exposed to disaster. Includes information on possible responses to disaster and how to provide assistance to children and adolescents affected by disaster.
Children in Disasters: After the Cameras Have Gone.
Plan UK 2002
Looks at lessons learned from practice in previous disaster situations.
Crisis management in schools: evidence-based prevention
Wilson MacNeil and Keith Topping
University of Dundee, Scotland
A paper examining the basis for developing a good evidence base for crisis management planning in schools.
Psychological First Aid for First Responders: Tips for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US
A resource developed for emergency workers in order to respond appropriately to the psychological distress people may experience following a disaster.
Disaster and Trauma Resource Center
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, US
This website provides free resources for families and professionals, including fact sheets, clinical resources and online video education clips.
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