BUSHFIRE SEASON
While the school has an emergency and bushfire response plan for our site, it is essential that we are all prepared for a bushfire emergency. Communicating with your young person during this time is essential. Discussing being prepared for natural hazards, such as bushfires, is not harmful to your young person, but avoiding conversations can leave them to worry on their own. Emerging Minds Australia provides the following tips: Involving your young person in the planning can make them feel more able to cope with a bushfire threat and feel safe and secure in knowing that you have a plan. Your young person will know that even if they are affected by a disaster, you and your family will use your resources to work together. For information on how to make a Bushfire Family Plan, go to NSW Rural Fire Service. The Australian Psychological Society provides the following tips for parents and carers as bushfire preparation needs to go beyond developing a household emergency plan. You also need to prepare psychologically. It is called the AIME model. default to fight or flight? If you understand your usual reactions, you can put safeguards in place to manage them. Bushfires can result in a large amount of smoke particles in the air, even when fires may be many kilometres away. Please monitor your young person for any potential health implications. Signs and symptoms students may experience include runny nose, itchy or burning eyes, headaches, coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath. Contact the school if you have any concerns about your young person being at school. When and how will I know if the school has been made non-operational? Your school will notify you as soon as possible by the preferred method of communication, which will be via email or COMPASS notifications. What education arrangements will be in place if the school is non-operational? When non-operational, your school will advise of alternative learning arrangements, including any relocation or learning-from-home plans in a timely manner. If you want to know more, read the Australian Red Cross Booklet: EMERGENCIES HAPPEN: protect what matters most. Source: Source: Preparing for bushfires information sheet, APS. Signs that a young person has been negatively affected by information about bushfires might include: Here are some tips to help you to support your young person during this time: Limit Media Exposure: Reduce your young person's exposure to repetitive and distressing bushfire news. Be confident in your role as a parent/ carer and limit their exposure to news and other programs with potentially distressing images and sounds. Listen and Explain: Encourage your young person to share their feelings about bushfires. Be patient and offer truthful, simple explanations to help them understand. Correct any misconceptions. Allow Expression: Give your young person the opportunity to express their feelings, whether through play or words. Accept their reactions and avoid making demands or unrealistic expectations. Offer Reassurance: Reassure your young person that their reactions are normal and that they are safe and cared for. Mind Your Conversations: Shield your young person from in-depth adult discussions about the events, as they may misinterpret the information. Be cautious about what they overhear. Monitor Your Reactions: Young people often mirror the anxieties they see in adults. Be aware of your own reactions, as they can influence how young people respond to challenging situations. Make sure you look after your own safety and wellbeing. What to know more: Watch this short clip Preparing Children Psychologically for Natural Disasters, from the Australian Psychological Society. Read this factsheet from Australian Red Cross Talking with Children Before an Emergency Sources: Looking After Children Who Are Anxious about Bushfire Season. Australian Psychological Society (2016). Psychological First Aid for Children and Adolescents. Trauma and Grief Network It is important to be aware that young people may need ongoing support in the months and even years after a disaster or traumatic event. While most young people do recover in time, ongoing difficulties can continue to challenge some of them. It is important that young people are given the time they need to recover. Recovery doesn’t always follow a predictable path. While some young people who are significantly impacted in the early months improve with time, it takes others much longer. Some young people can appear to have minimal effects immediately following a disaster but can begin to feel distressed at a later time. It is hard to predict what will happen for each individual young person, but there are some steps you can take to help support your young person’s recovery, minimise the likelihood of ongoing difficulties and connect them to the support they need. Emerging Minds Australia provides the following advice for parents and carers after a disaster or community trauma. Check In With Your Young Person: Keep asking your young person about their feelings. Tell them that recovery may take time, and you're there to talk. Some young people feel pressured to 'move on,' so establish a regular one-on-one time to discuss their thoughts and emotions. Monitor Behavioural Changes: Keep an eye on any shifts in your young person’s behaviour and mood. Most young people adjust to a 'new normal,' but some may need extra support if they exhibit stress symptoms or extreme anxiety. Share Your Feelings: Be open about your own feelings and coping strategies. Normalise distress while maintaining optimism that things will improve with time and support. Discuss Their Experience: Recognise that each young person has a unique experience. Encourage open conversations within the family and involve extended family or friends who can provide different perspectives and solutions. Embrace Imperfection: Don't expect perfection from yourself or your young person. Apologise if necessary, repair relationships after disagreements, and assure your young person of their safety and your love. Maintain School Communication: Stay connected with your young person’s school to understand their progress. They may behave differently at school, so open communication ensures a consistent approach to their recovery. Encourage Enjoyable Activities: Support your young person in participating in activities that bring joy, especially those involving community and social connections. Plan enjoyable experiences to look forward to. Promote Reflection and Conversation: Focus on what has changed since the event, highlighting unexpected positives. Acknowledge difficulties but also emphasise new skills and strengths in your community. Check Your Own Wellbeing: Prioritise your own wellbeing. Young people can be sensitive to adults' emotional states, so if you're overwhelmed or struggling, seek support. Your well-being is crucial for your family. Seek Help if Needed: If you're concerned about your young person’s recovery, don't hesitate to ask for assistance. If you are concerned about your young person, please see your GP for advice and talk to your school. Source: Emerging Minds headspace centres Tweed Heads. 145 Wharf Sreet. (07) 5589 8700 Lismore. 29 Molesworth Street. (02) 6625 0200 Grafton. 59 Duke Street, Grafton. (02) 66421520 Coffs Harbour. 45-53 Little Street. (02) 6652 1878 Port Macquarie. Suite 4, 10-12 Short Street. (02) 6588 7300 Kempsey. 65 Smith Street. (02) 6539 3450 eheadspace Free online counselling for young people aged 12 and 15 years via phone or online. The first step to access this support is to create an account. https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/ Kids Helpline Kids Helpline is Australia’s free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 years old. Phone 1800 55 1800 Email a Kids Helpline Counsellor: https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/email-counselling/ Website: https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Parentline Parent Line is a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 years old who live in NSW. Website: https://www.parentline.org.au/ Phone: 1300 1300 52 Mental Health Access Line The Mental Health Access Line is a NSW Health service staffed by mental health professionals. This service gives NSW residents access to expert mental health advice, support and referrals. Where appropriate, they can put you in contact with the local mental health crisis or acute care team. Website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/mental-health-line.aspx Phone: 1800 011 511 Yarn 13YARN ensures Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping can receive culturally safe and appropriate health services where and when they are needed 24/7 Website: https://www.13yarn.org.au/ Phone: 13 92 76 ReachOut Reach Out is a free online coaching service for parents and carers to help create clarity and increase confidence to support your teen through a tough time.
What can all families do to Prepare for Bushfire Season?
Bushfire Smoke
Frequently Asked Questions
What can Adults do if their Young Person is Anxious?