Disaster Recovery Counselling Training Commences in the ACT

DISASTER RECOVERY COUNSELLING TRAINING COMMENCES IN THE ACT

14 December 2004

As the ACT enters the bushfire season, and with the upcoming second anniversary of the 2002 Canberra bushfires, Mental Health ACT is hosting disaster and recovery training today.

"The aim of the training is to improve the skills of counsellors across the ACT in trauma response," ACT Minister for Health, Simon Corbell said.

"This training ensures that all major stakeholders understand and respond appropriately to a disaster and will ensure that the ACT has an effective system of response in place if and when the need arises."

Training will be provided by Dr. Beverly Raphael and will take place at the Canberra Southern Cross Club. Organisations such as Lifeline, Centacare and Relationships Australia will be involved in the training

Professor Raphael is the Professor in Psychiatry from the University of Queensland and has significant experience and expertise in research and management in the area of trauma, grief and disasters.

"Today's training reflects the Government's commitment to continually improve our preparation for a disaster response," Mr Corbell said.

"The day's main focus will be on disaster, terrorism and trauma: how we respond immediately as well as the aftermath, what interventions and assessments can be made at any one time and will include exercises from evidence-based, real world scenarios. ''

The Disaster Recovery Counselling Committee will learn how to monitor normal and abnormal signs of trauma, stress and the issues people may suffer as a result of them.

The Disaster Recovery Counselling Committee is made up of Government and community organisations and ACT Health professionals who provide the public with counselling in the event of a disaster or significant emergency.

For those people who think they may be suffering as a result of an emergency, to access support please contact Lifeline on 131114 or your General Practitioner as a first point of contact.

Statement Ends/ 14 December 2004
Media Contact: Monika Boogs 6205 0497 (w) 0419 423 603 (m)

 

Simon Corbell MLA
MINISTER FOR HEALTH MINISTER FOR PLANNING
MEMBER FOR MOLONGLO
MEDIA RELEASE