Bushfires, Trauma and Mental Health - Expert Insights for Health Professionals

This Expert Insights session focusses on the longer term mental health effects of the bushfires. Trauma related to events like the bush fires experienced late 2019/early 2020 are real. Throughout this session, we discuss the elements of successful mental health support and recovery in the months and years after the bushfires. We also cover the latest research evidence on community recovery, the services that are available to support best outcomes and the recent expansion of Medicare funding for mental health services for people affected by bushfires. Panel Members Wayne: Lived experience representative Ms Ros Knight: Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, President of Australian Psychological Society and Clinic Director at Macquarie University Psychology Clinic Professor Richard Bryant: Scientia Professor at School of Psychology UNSW and Director of Traumatic Stress Clinic Westmead Hospital Professor Zachary Steel: St John of God Chair of Trauma and Mental Health, School of Psychiatry UNSW and The Black Dog Institute Facilitated by: Dr Carol Newall, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant Recording and sound production: Nathan Bell Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute