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Counselling Support for Communities as Bushfire Season Approaches

Article

08/12/2020

Free and confidential bushfire counselling support is available in East Gippsland for individuals, families and emergency service workers affected by last year’s devastating fires, and anyone who is struggling to cope as the upcoming bushfire season approaches.

The frontline service is provided by RAV and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Victoria, and has assisted more than 400 people with 2000 appointments since it was established in early 2020.

It is delivered with funding from Gippsland Primary Health Network (GPHN), which is leading the mental health response to bushfire affected areas of Gippsland.

“One year on from the bushfires and the people of East Gippsland are still working through the trauma, grief and loss they experienced – and now with summer upon us again there is added anxiety of what lies ahead,” RFDS Health Service Manager, Lauren Zappa said. “Thankfully, people are reaching out to our mental health clinicians who are supporting them through this difficult period.”