FEBRUARY 10, 2012: A community recovery centre in St George operating from tomorrow Saturday February 11 will include several Lifeline staff and volunteers to support those who have suffered property damage, stock and produce losses, or just need to a chat to help move forward.

Twenty Lifeline Crisis Support staff are activated across the state to provide human-social support and counselling to people affected by the floods.

“To date, almost 800 homes have been inundated and 3000 people have been evacuated from Mitchell, Charleville, St George and Roma,” Lifeline Community Recovery Manager, Chris Lancaster said.

“We want to ensure everyone who needs help during this period has access to it, either via the 13 11 14 Crisis Line, or by speaking to one of our Crisis Support Workers who are available in the Community Recovery Centres and in the outreach teams,” he said.

Six Lifeline staff will be available in the St George Community Recovery centre and additional Crisis Workers will join an outreach service to provide support to residents whose homes are uninhabitable.
Throughout the activation, Lifeline Crisis Support workers have also been helping those who have lost their domestic pets in the flood waters.

Additional Lifeline Crisis Support workers arrived in Roma yesterday and are providing support in the Community Recovery Centre at the Roma Cultural Centre and providing outreach services alongside the Department of Communities and Red Cross.

Lifeline is also continuing support in Charleville, Mitchell, Dalby and outlying areas.

“At the peak, more than 100 roads and railway lines have been cut off. At present, some of our Crisis Support workers are parking at one end and walking across bridges not deemed safe for cars to ensure those on the other side are receiving appropriate support,” Mr Lancaster said.

Lifeline is committed to providing immediate and long term support to those affected by a disaster.
Short-term support is provided through counselling interventions and, through the Community Recovery Program, Lifeline spearheads longer term recovery through a coordinated approach to rebuilding or re-establishing key community networks and support structures.

Find out more about Lifeline’s Community Recovery program at www.uccommunity.org.au/community-recovery.
 

Normal emotions during loss & change

Feelings that you can expect or may have experienced include:

Anger
At what has happened.
At whoever or whatever caused it.
At those trying to help. At the injustice, ‘Why me, Why us?’

Helplessness
Unable to change the situation.

Fear
Of ‘breaking down’ or ‘losing control.’
Of losing the business, farm, lifestyle. Of the uncertainty.

Disappointment
Life is turning out like this after so many years of hard work.

Failure
Blaming yourself when it is out of control.

Guilt
For being better or worse off than others.
Regrets for things not done.

Shame
For being exposed as helpless, ‘emotional’ and needing others.
For not reacting as one would wish.

Sadness
For losses of every kind.

Longing
For all that has gone.

Isolation
Wanting to be alone
Irritated or cannot bear the demands of being with others.

Numbness
Feeling empty inside or a loss of all feelings.

Let Down
A sudden loss of energy and enthusiasm. Hope - for the future for better times.

These feelings are normal during a disaster. In your own time, talk with others who care for you. Share your feelings and provide support for your children to share their feelings. Accept the support of people who care, and take the time to be with your family and friends.

A Lifeline counsellor is available 24-hours a day on the Lifeline Crisis Line, 13 11 14.