Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength

“Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength from the Southern Downs” is a community project sharing stories of strength and resilience as well as information about mental health and well-being that supports communities impacted by the 2019 and 2020 bushfires in southern Queensland, Australia. Tune in for conversations with local residents and health and community workers who generously share tips, strategies and resources to support your recovery journey.This podcast is hosted by Kathryn Walton. Season 1 was supported by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN. Season 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018).

All Episodes

Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength

Psychological Strategies

July 01, 2021 • Community Collaboration

Elizabeth Searle is a psychologist based in Stanthorpe on the Southern Downs in Queensland. This conversation with Elizabeth is unique because not only is she a psychologist who has been providing counselling support to residents and workers on the Southern Downs, but she also knows first hand what it’s like to deal with bushfires burning very close to her home.

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Elizabeth explain:

some of the psychological challenges that people in the region experienced when the fires were active in 2019 and 2020
the strategies or actions that were the most helpful for people at that time when they were dealing with the anxiety and worry but also the very real dangers of the bushfires
how she prepared for the possibility of fires on her property, the actions she took and the need for an exit plan if danger becomes imminent
the signs of recovery she noticed across the natural landscape shortly after the fires and as time has gone on
how you can nurture your own recovery journey
some of the barriers that prevent people from accessing or accepting help after a disaster and what we can do about that
what ‘survivor guilt’ is and what you can do about it
giving and receiving can play an important role in the recovery journey
things you can do to optimise your inner strength, grow your mind skills and improve your mental fitness to build resilience and stress management
how to connect with nature to manage stress

RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode with the Top 3 Takeaways or Tips and a full list of the services and resources we referred to.

Emergency Services – Fire, Ambulance, Police
P: 000 (Triple Zero)

Crisis Support - “Lifeline”
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
P: 13 11 14

QUEENSLAND
Current bushfires and warnings

Queensland Rural Fire Service

Make your Bushfire Survival Plan

Prepare for bushfire season

Tune in to Warnings

NSW
NSW Rural Fire Service – Fires Near Me (web version)

SLEEP HYGIENE
Sleep Health Foundation

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN
Use the clickable map to find mental health services in the region

Speak Out Loud has been supported through funding from the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay