Floods
Community information
Learn about preparing for floods
Psychological preparation for natural disasters
This APS tip sheet outlines the importance of being psychologically prepared and provides the steps to take for psychological preparation when a natural disaster is threatening.
Recovery
Floods affect everyone in different ways. Some people are directly affected, family or friends or your community may have suffered significant losses, or you may have been even more indirectly affected by watching the events unfold in the media. But there is a lot that you can do to look after yourself and help with your recovery.
The following guideline provides some general advice to help people to look after themselves.
Looking after children who have been affected by floods: Guidelines for parents and caregivers
Children are not always able to express complex feelings in the same direct way that adults do and therefore do not often show the same reactions to stress as adults. It is therefore very important to look out for changes in children's behaviour that suggest they are unsettled or distressed.
Understanding and managing psychological trauma
This APS tip sheet outlines the symptoms of psychological trauma and provides tips on how to manage it.
Seeking further help
A qualified mental health professional such as a psychologist can help you to understand and deal with the thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated with the trauma of the floods. Speak to your GP about a referral to a psychologist or phone the APS Find a Psychologist service on 1800 333 497. Alternatively, you can locate a psychologist in your area by visiting the APS Find a Psychologist website.
Additional resources for the community
Red Cross resources for children
Includes Get ready! and After the emergency booklets
Preparedness and disaster planning
Resources from the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network (ACATLGN).
Tips for recovering from disasters and other traumatic events
Tips from the American Psychological Association (APA).
Information for practitioners
APS guidelines, tip sheets and resources
APS Disaster Response Network (DRN)
The APS Disaster Response Network (DRN) is a national network of psychologists who have a special interest and expertise in working with individuals and communities affected by disasters and emergencies in Australia as well as those working to assist them.
Psychosocial Support in Disasters web portal
This web portal provides health professionals working with disaster-affected individuals and communities with a step-by-step guide to disaster response and the psychological implications at each stage from preparation through to response and recovery.
Psychological First Aid: An Australian Guide (2011) - APS and ARC joint publication
This guide was produced by the APS and the Australian Red Cross to provide an overview for people working in disaster preparedness, response and recovery about best-practice in psychological first aid following disasters and traumatic events.
- Psychological First Aid: An Australian Guide
- Psychological First Aid: An Australian Guide - Translated into Japanese
APS Ethical Guidelines on co-ordinated disaster response, pro bono, or voluntary psychological services
APS Statement on the Role of Psychologists in International Emergencies
APS tip sheets
APS tip sheets inform clients about a range of psychological issues and how psychologists can help. They are a useful resource for private practitioners and other health professionals, especially GPs. The following tip sheets have been developed to assist individuals and communities affected by natural disasters.
Additional resources for practitioners
Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide
Developed by the National Center for PTSD, PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress, and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning.
Mental health and primary care resources
Developed by the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network (ACATLGN, these guidelines were designed to assist general practitioners and health professionals working in primary care after the disaster of the Victorian bushfires. There are relevant to other natural disasters where there is where people are exposed to life-threatening stressors and losses.
Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health developed these guidelines in consultation with trauma experts from a range of disciplines, as well as people affected by trauma. These guidelines provide practical recommendations applicable in all healthcare settings.
- Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- PTSD Clinical Treatment Algorithm
IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC ) issues these guidelines to enable humanitarian actors to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people's mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in the midst of an emergency.
- IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
- Checklist for field use
General references
Compiled list of general articles on response and recovery
McNally, R.J., Bryant, R.A., Ehlers, A. (2003). Does early psychological intervention promote recovery from posttraumatic stress? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 4, 2, 45-79.
APS media, publications and responses
Presentations
APS media releases
November 2012
October 2011
January 2011
October 2010
- New website to help combat trauma of natural disasters
- New techniques assist psychological recovery for disaster survivors
December 2009
InPsych articles
Special report: Response and recovery after the floods
- Interview with Professor Richard Bryant
- Psychological support and treatment for victims of the floods
Professor David Forbes and Professor Mark Creamer - Interview with Professor Kevin Ronan
- Interview with Kerrie Kelly
- APS contribution to the flood disaster recovery
2011
2010
2009
- The impact of natural disasters on mental health
- The crucial role of psychological preparedness for disasters
