Coping with natural disasters

Prepare for the unexpected

Australia experiences various kinds of natural disasters – cyclones, floods, bushfires, drought – but remember there is always help available

There are many services in Australia that can support the recovery effort – you are not alone
Getting things back to normal can take time, but recovery is possible

Different people react differently, depending on their personality and situation

Generally though, most people will experience some or all of these impacts when they’re going through a natural disaster event:

Physical symptoms – stress-related headaches or stomach pains
Physical injuries – due to the natural event, needing food or water
Cognitive – repetitive thoughts, nightmares, or trouble concentrating
Emotional – feelings such as grief, fear, anxiety, sadness, guilt or depression
Social – changes to friendships, relationship troubles with family or siblings
Spiritual – questioning your beliefs, faith, or asking a higher power for help

Things you can do before a disaster

If you think that a natural disaster is headed your way, here are some things that can help:

Talk to parents, guardians, or teachers about your worries and fears
Stay informed by reading news online or listening to local radio
Gather any personal belongings in case you need to leave quickly
Keep pets in a secure room or fenced area so they are safe
Stay close to parents, family, friends – avoid going places by yourself
You might feel frightened or scared – that’s an ok response to a really stressful situation
Take some deep, calming breaths
Listen to music or watch your favourite show to take your mind off it
Remind yourself that help is always available
Remember that things can return to normal after natural events

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Dealing with natural disasters

If you’re affected by a natural event, you’ll need some tools to help you cope. Try these strategies:

Try to focus on one thing at a time to reduce stress

Drink water and eat food regularly to stay healthy

Accept that you might feel on-edge – that’s a normal response

If you feel like talking, seek out a friend, parent, or adult you trust

Ask what you can do to help the situation e.g. look after pets

Mini breaks doing things you enjoy help reduce stress

Hug someone you trust to release feel-good hormones in your body

Give yourself time and space to experience all the emotions – don’t expect things to go back to normal straight away.

Rebuilding after a natural disaster

Recovering from a natural event can take time. It helps if you have support around you. Try out these tips on how to get back on track.

Allow yourself to feel numb or ‘strange’ for a little while after – it’s your body’s natural response to a scary situation but things should soon return to normal
Sometimes when everybody’s tired and scared conflict can happen in families – that’s common in high stress situations and will usually pass
Get back to your old routine or start a new one – it can help reduce feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety
Spend time with parents, family, friends – enjoy each other’s company and try to find the positives
Do some things that help you feel calm, safe, and positive – e.g. listen to music, watch your favourite show, exercise, or deep breathing
Talk about the experience and what it was like for you – these things affect people differently and for different reasons
Take part in the recovery effort – ask a parent or guardian what you can do to help

Sometimes we all need extra help to get through a scary event

If things aren’t returning to normal, it could be a sign that you or someone you know needs some extra help, e.g. talking to a counsellor or other professional.

Here are some things to look out for: