Individuals and families

The following information and services are available to help you recover after a disaster.

Where to get help

For immediate medical assistance in an emergency always call Triple Zero (000) and ask for the ambulance.

Speak to your doctor about any issues or concerns that you have as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to help and can make referrals to specialist services.

For information on health issues and support services visit:

SA Health
Healthdirect - or phone the 24/7 hotline on 1800 022 222
Domestic violence and sexual assault
Country SA PHN

For non-life threatening mental health emergencies, phone the 24/7 Mental Health Triage Service 13 14 65.

Going through a disaster like a bushfire, flood or drought takes a toll on all of us and coping is not always easy. It's normal to feel emotional in a range of ways from feeling a bit shaky and confused to being overwhelmed with sadness or anger - even long after the event.

Taking time for a few calming, deeper than usual breaths to notice how we are feeling and/or connecting with our families and loved ones to let them know how we are doing can be of huge benefit to our emotional health. Traumatic events affect each of us differently, and we all need a bit of support from time-to-time. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is free help available.

Find out more about mental health support services after a disaster:

Counselling services

Regional Access (24 hours)

Free professional telephone and online counselling for people 15 years and older living or working in regional South Australia.

Phone 1300 032 186 for immediate support or get online support from Regional Access online counselling

Lifeline (24 hours)

Phone 13 11 14 for immediate support
Lifeline online counselling (6.30 to 11.30 pm, South Australian time)

Kids Helpline (24 hours)

Free counselling for people 5 to 25.

Phone 1800 55 1800 or get help online from Kids Helpline

Family and Business Support (FaBS) Program

PIRSA's Family and Business Support (FaBS) Program is a group of people offering support during difficult situations such as drought, bushfire and other adverse events. FaBS mentors provide free, informal advice and can connect you to services such as:

financial counselling
local health networks
emotional wellbeing and counselling services
government and non-government assistance
community organisations and donations.

To access the program, contact the PIRSA Recovery Team:

PIRSA Recovery Hotline: 1800 931 314
Email: PIRSA.Recovery@sa.gov.au

Mental health resources for children

Emergencies and disasters are extremely stressful and it is normal for children, even infants, to feel overwhelmed. Emerging Minds has developed a Community Trauma Toolkit to help adults and children understand the impacts of disaster and how to help lessen these impacts.

A wide range of free counselling services are available to those impacted by the bushfires:

online
via telephone
in person

Regional Access (24 hours)

Free professional telephone and online counselling for people 15 years and older living or working in regional South Australia.

Phone 1300 032 186 for immediate support.
Regional Access online counselling

Lifeline (24 hours)

Phone 13 11 14 for immediate support
Lifeline online counselling (6.30 pm to 11.30 pm SA time)

Kids Helpline (24 hours)

Free counselling for people 5 to 25.

Phone 1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline online counselling

Family and Business Support (FaBS) Program

PIRSA's Family and Business Support (FaBS) Program are a group of people offering support during difficult situations such as drought, bushfire and other adverse events. FaBS mentors provide free, informal advice and can connect you to services such as:

financial counselling
local health networks
emotional wellbeing and counselling services
government and non-government assistance
community organisations and donations.

During and after an emergency, people with disabilities my need extra help to understand, communicate and recover. The following resources have been developed for people with a disability, their families and carers.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Any NDIS participant who needs assistance with their disability supports due to the bushfire situation is encouraged to contact 1800 800 110 to discuss their circumstances.

Participants impacted by the bushfires are being prioritised to ensure they can continue to receive their disability related supports, including any additional supports that may be required such as replacing equipment, additional care or therapies.

More information is available on the NDIS website or in the Bushfire information and support - Easy Read book (PDF, 3.8 MB)

Recovering from emergencies

Coping with a major personal crisis (Easy English) - Red Cross (PDF, 588.5 KB)

Tips to help mental health (Easy English) - Council for Intellectual Disability

Recovering from Bushfire (Videos) - Deaf Emergency Information

Accessible accommodation hire

Plan for emergencies

Plan for an emergency (Easy English) - Red Cross (PDF, 933.5 KB)

Disaster preparedness guide - Red Cross (PDF, 1.7 MB)

Bushfire Safety Guide in Easy English (A set of 12 booklets) - CFS

Key Word Signs for Bushfire - Key Word Sign Australia (GIF, 139.4 KB)

Those affected by a disaster can access free legal advice through the following services:

Contact the Legal Services Commission on weekdays between 9.00 am and 4.30 pm.

Phone 1300 366 424 to access the free telephone advisory service.

Disaster Free Legal Support Project

Disaster Legal Support provides free legal help to South Australians impacted or at risk of natural disasters.

The program, delivered by Community Justice Services SA, aims to support South Australian individuals, small business and primary producers at all stages of the Disaster Management Cycle.

To help communities build resilience and prepare for disasters, free community legal education and advice on legal issues like insurance, wills, estate planning, Advance Care Directives and more is available.

In the event of a disaster, solicitors and support staff are deployed as “boots on the ground,” to assist with Response and Recovery, providing free legal assistance and warm referrals to other allied and essential support services via local outreach, remote appointments and Recovery Centres. In the Recovery stage, they continue to offer legal advice, and tailored community legal education, particularly around insurance claims and disputes.

For more information, call 1300 850 650 or email dlsp@communityjustice.org.au

View the Community Outreach Calendar here.

Free mediation service

Uniting Communities is offering a free mediation service to assist with neighbourhood disputes resulting from the fires.

Visit Uniting Communities or phone 8342 1800. Please state you are a victim of the bushfires when making an appointment to ensure your case is given priority with booking times.

The following resources can help you and your family with your emotional recovery.