Personal support package for flood-affected Victorians
Thursday 10 February 2011
The State Government has approved extra spending of $1.55 million over the next six months to help people recover from the psychological impact of the recent Victorian floods.
Victorians directly affected by the floods in the northern and western parts of the state now have access to a range of support services including generalist counselling, outreach support and service co-ordination. There are already positive steps towards recovery in communities in northern and western Victoria, but the distress and trauma these floods have caused to individuals and communities cannot underestimated.
The funding will provide:
- preventative mental health services, including psychological first-aid at relief, recovery and temporary shelter centres
- community workshops addressing post-disaster mental health awareness, literacy and associated issues
- a range of outreach support
- service co-ordination to support households to access services they need
- generalist counselling through community health services.
These services have been put in place to ensure families get the services they need when they need them.
Professionals will be engaged from local areas, as they have an understanding of the challenges facing flood-affected Victorians and what they have experienced, and will be well-placed to help them.
