LIFELINE Melbourne and Lifeline Gippsland have joined forces to provide online discussion forums for people affected by last year's bushfires.
The discussion forums will provide an avenue for Victorians to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences on a range of topics relating to the Black Saturday disaster and to have trained counsellors who can respond to questions and provide direct information and support.
Following a natural disaster like Black Saturday and the devastation it caused, it is normal for people to feel a variety of emotions, like trauma, depression, grief and loss.
Lifeline has a 24-hour telephone support service on 13 11 14, and now online help at www.lifeline.org.au
The forums will be held on the following topics at the following times:
- Grief and Loss - 7.00pm-8.00pm Thursday 11 February 2010
- Challenges 12 months after the fire
- Employment & Education - 2.00-3.00pm Friday 12 February 2010
- How has the bushfires affected your work or school life?
- Relationships - 11.00am-12.00pm Saturday 13 February 2010
- How has the 2009 bushfires affected your personal relationships?
- Mental Health - 7.00pm-8.00pm Tuesday 16 February 2010
- Are you or someone you know having difficulty in coping after the bush fires?
- Rebuilding - 2.00pm-3.00pm, Wednesday 17 February 2010
- What were the challenges you faced/face in rebuilding your house, community and lives?
- Caring for yourself and others - 11.00am-12.00pm, Thursday 18 February 2010
- How have you, your family and the community looked after yourselves and what have been the challenges?
