Student Wellbeing & Learner Diversity
After the Floods
When natural disasters happen, nearly everyone has some reaction and emotional response, whether they are directly or indirectly affected. These emotions affect people of all ages in different ways. They can occur immediately, later, or even long after the disaster has passed. People may experience thoughts, feelings, physical reactions
or behaviours that are intense, confusing and frightening. Such experiences are usually most severe during or straight after the disaster, then fade with time.
If you’ve been wondering if how you’re feeling is normal, every person’s (adult or child) experience is unique, so there is no right or wrong way to feel. There are however some consistencies in how we work through the stuff that comes after the floods and the clean up.
According to clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon, there are stages of recovery.
- The Adrenaline Phase
When we are under threat we go into an involuntary state of arousal, which energises our body, mind and emotions and the main chemical for this is adrenalin.
In this stage our brain operates in a very black and white mode and helps us to do the stuff that needs to get done. This stage can last for weeks or months. It is exhausting, overwhelming and characterised by intense highs and lows.
2. The Cortisol Phase
Our bodies cannot sustain the adrenalin stage forever, so we eventually move into the cortisol phase.
This again can feel a bit like being in ‘zombie mode’, doing one thing after another in an effort to just keep going. We will conserve our cortisol and won’t waste our energy on things like being polite. This is when we can be irritable and short-tempered. Cortisol will stay in our system until we feel like we can settle down again.
3. The Identity Crisis
It is not until life starts getting back to normal that we start to think about all the things we’ve lost. The heirlooms, photos, and mementos that have been part of our history attached to them that are irreplaceable. These are all elements of our identity and we have to grieve for that.
You might start to wonder what it all means, while it is overwhelming to hear - it’s important to understand that you will get through this bit too.
This is going to take time for all of us to work through — and it's okay to ask for support for yourself or your children. The Victorian Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 is the best place to start. It offers support for a range of clean-up services, finding somewhere to stay, financial, mental health and other support. The City of Greater Shepparton has a lot of information for ways to get support and what you may need to do in the coming days and weeks. Please visit: https://greatershepparton.com.au/community/emergencies/flood/flood-recover/flood-health-and-wellbeing
There are often counsellors and psychologists connected to any recovery centre. You can turn to them. You can also go to your GP who will give you a referral to a professional. www.beyondblue.org.au has a lot of information and live chat facilities.
Other places offering support are -
● Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub - Wellways ph:5822 8600 or 1300 375 330
● Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
● Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
● Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/
Please look at the Principal’s page for links David has added as well.
Please take care everyone,
Donna
