Online Support

Headspace and Red Cross have developed online resources for young people who were affected by the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

Headspace - Your Bushfire Space

Your Bushfire Space has been designed for young people affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires as space to share experiences, ask questions, and find information about how to cope with their bushfire experience.

The bushfires have changed many people’s lives but everyone’s bushfire experience is a bit different. Some people are grieving the loss of family and friends, while others are coping with the loss of their homes and businesses. Significantly, the bushfires have also changed how many communities meet, share and support each other. Like the regrowth in the bush though, slowly people are moving forward and rebuilding their lives.

People’s emotional response to the bushfires is also different from person to person. Some may feel frightened, shocked or numb, while others may feel sad, angry or helpless. These feelings can last for a few days or for some months, but no matter how people feel, sharing bushfire stories and learning more about what help is available, can help people to recover from their bushfire experience.

So, if you or someone you know has been affected by the bushfires Headspace can help with:

Useful information (factsheets)
Ideas about where to get help
Bushfire stories from other young people
Bushfire Questions & Answers
Regrowth Noticeboard – tips and hints on recovery
Peer to peer forum (coming soon)

Red Cross - After the emergency

Red Cross has developed After the emergency MP3s and website in response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires as immediate and long-term resources for young people (12-25) affected by disasters.

Red Cross is using MP3 players to share information with young people affected by emergencies. The MP3 players are intended to be distributed in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, but are available to order at anytime before or after an emergency. If you are a parent, teacher, youth worker or carer of young people, or if you think the MP3s will help someone you know, please download the files from the Red Cross site or place an order at the email address below.

To order an MP3 player, email aftertheemergency@redcross.org.au