Category Health and wellbeing   Show all

  • Black Dog Institute - New Program

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    The Black Dog Institute has a new support program for our first responders affected by bush fires. Find out more HERE

  • Hawkesbury Community Catch-ups

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    Come along and join us for a bite to eat and a relaxed chat with neighbours, friends and the Community Recovery team.
    We will have some native plants and possum boxes to give away and a free children’s activity.
    Colo Heights Hall on Tuesday December 1 from 3.30pm to 6.00pm
    Bilpin District Hall on Wednesday December 2 from 3.30pm to 6.00pm
    St Albans School of Arts on Saturday December 5 from 11.00am to 1.30pm.
    Everyone is welcome. If you need help with transport, please get in touch.
    For more information, please call Liz on 0437 144 475.
  • Recovery, Resilience and Readiness - Check in

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    The Community Recovery team at Council would like to check in with you about how you are travelling at this time of year as anniversaries of last summer’s fires come around. We are wondering what, if any, community activities or memorials might like our support over the next couple of months. It is also completely ok not to want to do anything!
    Red Cross say that often the anticipation of an anniversary is more difficult and painful than the day (or days) itself. Some people may attend community memorials, others will choose to spend time with family and friends. For others it may be important to spend some time alone. Dr Rob Gordon has a short video about this time HERE
    If you would like to do something in your community during this time, please get in touch. Also, please be aware that there are still a range of supports available during this time. Call the Community Recovery Officer on 4560 4489 for more information.
  • Step by Step Recovery Support Service

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    Hawkesbury residents affected by the recent bushfires or other emergency events can access Step by Step Recovery Support Service

    Step by Step in the Hawkesbury is funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and Hawkesbury City Council. Step by Step aim to provide immediate emotional and social support to community members helping them access grants, submit applications, insurance issues and providing information on recovery resources.

    To access Step by Step Recovery Support Service:

    👉 Phone:call 0417 298 832
    👉 Email stepbystep@gatewayfamilyservices.org.au
    👉 Facebook Step by Step - Disaster Recovery Support Service

  • Bushfire Psychological Therapy Services

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    Are you feeling anxious about the upcoming fire season? Does the smell of smoke make your heart race? Are you finding it difficult to enjoy things since the fires? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might benefit from talking to someone.

    The Bushfire Psychological Therapy Services stream is available to people in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas significantly impacted by bushfire, including emergency services personnel and their families.

    For more information 👉 https://bit.ly/3gyouvA

  • Be You Bushfire Response Program

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    The program provides tailored mental health support to schools and early learning services affected by bushfires across Australia. Informed by placed-based and community-led principles, the Program empowers bushfire affected communities to lead their own recovery.

    The Bushfire Response Program is offering Hawkesbury schools and early learning services a package of support comprising four primary elements:
    • Contact Liaison Officers
    • trauma training
    • recovery planning
    • support service mapping.

    Contact Liaison Officers work with schools and early learning services to support the development of a recovery plan. An individually tailored recovery plan maps out and identifies short, medium and long-term activities to support recovery and promote resilience in each learning community. This Program allows for up to 18 months of support, but many plans will extend well beyond this period to allow for long-term recovery in communities.

    The Bushfire Response Program is led by Beyond Blue in partnership with Early Childhood Australia, headspace and Emerging Minds. The Program is a part of Be You, Australia’s national mental health in education initiative funded by the Australian Government.

    To find out more or register, visit https://beyou.edu.au/bushfire-response-program or email Contact Liaison Officer Paola Mercado via email PMercado@earlychildhood.org.au or call on 0497 900 087.

  • Red Cross Webinar with Dr Rob Gordon

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    The Red Cross has joined with disaster expert Dr Rob Gordon for a webinar to talk about how we recover from bush fire while responding to COVID-19.
    Community members impacted by the bush fires along with people working within the support sector,are encouraged to watch and learn about looking after yourself, your family, friends and the broader community at this time.
    The recording is available on the Red Cross you tube channel at the following link https://youtu.be/1iQeaIJg_1Q.


  • Step by Step Recovery Support Service

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    STEP BY STEP RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICE
    Hawkesbury residents affected by the recent bushfires or other emergency events can now access a free recovery support service called Step by Step Recovery Support.
    This week Gateway Family Services launched the service in the Hawkesbury, using funding from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and additional funding from Hawkesbury City Council.
    Step by Step aim to provide immediate emotional and social support to community members helping them access grants, submit applications, insurance issues and providing information on recovery resources.

    Step by Step will use a variety of contact methods and tools including phone, email, video calls, facetime, Facebook (including Messenger), monthly newsletters and postal mail-outs to ensure that people are able to continue to access the support and assistance they need.
    To access the Step by Step Recovery Support Service, call 0417 298 832 or email stepbystep@gatewayfamilyservices.org.au or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Step-by-Step-Recovery-Support-Service-110797763847269/. To read Council's Media Release go to https://bit.ly/2V8Uiyx

  • How to ask someone: Are you OK?

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    As we continue to recover together, let’s make sure we take the time to ask our family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours if they are OK?

    The Hawkesbury has recently been through several extreme weather incidents, that have impacted many of us in differing ways.

    It's completely normal to experience a range of emotions after a fire, including anxiety, forgetfulness, sleep disturbance and more.

    Having someone to listen to and support you through this is very important.

    Check in on your friends and neighbours, and if you or someone you know needs help, reach out.

    If you need help on how to ask, follow this link for some simple steps that could change a life: https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask


    If someone does need help, the following are free services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

    • Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
    • Lifeline Bushfire Recovery Line - 13 43 57
    • Mensline – 1300 789 978
    • Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
    • Beyondblue – 1300 22 4636

    If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000.

  • Local recovery mental health services

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    Many in our community have recently been impacted by extreme events such as bushfire, storm and flood.

    It can be a stressful time, during and after the event. It is common to feel overwhelmed and sad, many of us can find it difficult to return to our usual routine. Often these feelings will fade over time, but there is help available if you need it.

    If you or someone you know needs support, please follow this link to services in the Hawkesbury which are available to assist you with your recovery: www.nbmphn.com.au/BushfireSupport

    There are things you can do to take care of yourself and your emotional wellbeing, or that of someone you care about.

    If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000.