The Mental Health Impact of Australia's Bushfire Crisis

• 2020

  Log in to bookmark this resource.

  Log in
• Erin Smith

---

Access Resources

• LectureEN
• Ask aRCie About This Resource

About

The video highlights the devastating impact of the unprecedented bushfires in Australia, which have burned an area three times the size of the Amazon. With at least 34 human casualties, massive displacement of people, and over one billion animals lost, the fires have left a trail of destruction since July 2019. The health hazards are worsened by smoke-filled air in major cities like Melbourne and Sydney, posing respiratory and cardiac risks. The mental health toll on individuals, communities, first responders, and volunteers is profound. As Australia grapples with additional challenges like floods, cyclones, storms, and the looming threat of the coronavirus, the video raises questions about supporting mental well-being during prolonged crises.

---

Tags

Focus Areas: Mental Health; Natural Disasters

Audiences: Behavioral Health Professionals; Emergency Managers

Emergency Management Stage: Recovery

Keywords: Air Pollution; Australia; Cardiovascular Diseases; Disasters; Mental Health; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Smoke Inhalation Injury; Stress, Psychological; Resilience, Psychological; Fires; Wildfires; Emergency Responders; Psychological Trauma

Institutions: Edith Cowan University

---

More like this

Supporting Trauma Recovery After Hurricane Maria: NCTSN Lessons Learned in Puerto Rico 2020 · National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), Medical University of South Carolina, SGA Youth & Family Services, Baystate Medical Center Children and Youth in Disasters: A Workshop Exploring the Gaps in Evidence 2020 · National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine From Hurricane Katrina to Paradise Wildfires, Exploring Themes in Disaster Human Services: Workshop 1 - Children and Youth in Disasters 2020 · National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

---

The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

---