Mindfulness, Ritual And Collective Recovery In News Narrative

After The 2009 Firestorm: Implications For Posttraumatic Mental

Health Care

This paper analyses the 2009 firestorm news coverage through 82 editions of the 3 major Victorian newspapers, in the first month following the February 2009 bushfire tragedy. After reviewing 4,671 journalistic segments, the vodcast focuses on two implications for posttraumatic mental health care.

This vodcast (a conference presentation)is the first known replication study of Kitch (2003) in the area of posttraumatic mental health. Kitch (2003) discovered that post 9/11 newscoverage contained elements of funeral ritual, meaning making, and a grand narrative of resilience – in which journalists provided a nation of readers a cultural posttraumatic grieving process.

This podcast comes in three parts. Parts 2 & 3 appear under “member podcasts” - you must login as a current ASTSS member to view Parts 2 & 3. [Not a member? Click here to join]

Each video file is approximately 20mb - we recommend broadband to view the vodcasts.

Click here to view Part One of the vodcast

Via the Net After the Firestorm: 

Disseminating Evidence-Based Practice to Mental Health Professionals

This unique joint vodcast centers on a sample of online evidence-based resources for professionals working with communities, survivors and families affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfire disaster. This vodcast was first presented by Bronwyn Tarrant at this year’s Cunningham Dax Oration and highlights the work of the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS); The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Loss and Grief Network (ACATLGN); and their members. The vodcast draws attention to the practice implications from each of the featured resources. All the resources spotlighted in this vodcast are available in entirety on this ASTSS website or www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au or www.psychology.org.au/bushfire/briefing/. 

A vodcast is a video file made for downloading or streaming. This September 2009 vodcast is the first video to become part of our regular ASTSS podcasts. The file is 28mb so we recommend accessing the vodcast from cable or ADSL internet connections. You may need Quicktime to watch the vodcast (click here for a free Quicktime download)

CLICK HERE to go to the ASTSS webpage dedicated to the Victorian bushfires and providing:

Information for people who are experiencing emotional distress and their families

General Practitioners and health care providers can follow the following link to download the

 "General Practitioner Guide for Management of Mental Health and Related Consequences in the Victorian Bushfires"

If you are wishing to help the bushfire victims then please, as a first step, donate blood or money. 

The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fundhas been launched bythe Victorian Premier John Brumby in partnershipwith the Red Cross and the Federal Government. Donations can be made at www.redcross.org.au or by phoning 1800 811 700.

All NAB branches will collect donations from tomorrow, or donations can be made using online banking and these details: Victoria Bushfire Relief Fund; BSB: 082-001; Account: 860 046 797.

The Salvation Army has launched an appeal to help bushfire victims as well as those affected by flooding in North Queensland.They will help those in relief centres with support as well as provide emergency financial assistance to enable people to buy clothing and personal items. Monetary donations are preferred: call 13 Salvos (137258) or go to www.salvos.org.au.

You can share your thoughts and feelings with the victims of the Victorian fire tragedy through “The Age” Condolence book.

You can volunteer to help rebuild communities affected by bushfires by registering with Volunteering Australia. 

If you have expert IT skills or new computers, modems, printers etc, you can donate through the infoxchange and the Australia Information Industry Association.

By: Ruth Wraith 
Past President of ASTSS, Child Psychotherapist and Consultant / Advisor 
Emergency Management Branch, Department of Human Services Victoria. 
 
 
Last Saturday and Sunday (February 7th and 8th 2009) saw in Victoria an 
event of nature which is currently being described in the media as the worst 
disaster in the history of settled Australia.  
 
As I write this on Monday some parts of the state are still in the impact 
phase and, due to conditions in other areas, it is still not possible to know 
how many: people unaccounted for have died, homes have been lost, 
community infrastructures altered, farms and livelihoods destroyed and the 
extent of other environmental impacts.  

... (continue reading) 

The following article is the combination of some reflections and 
recommendations by Dr Paul Valent and the ASTSS Management Committee 
(February 12th 2009). 
 
Though the current bushfire is the worst in our history, understanding 
responses from previous bushfires and other disasters may help in recovery.  
Some communities are still preparing for possible ravages of fire. Many more 
are reeling from the worst non-war disaster in Australian history. 
 
The greatest current anguish is for those who have perished, for those 
unaccounted for, and for lost houses, animals, and communities. Survival 
needs – food, shelter and warmth - are paramount.  

... (continue reading)