Post Flood Trauma - Mental Health Week

Today I want to share this video from the ABC News 7:30 Report for Mental Health Week and the flood recovery still happening here in Queensland.

The video and transcript can also be found at the ABC News website.

You Lent a Hand, Now Lend an Ear

Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley were hit by floods in January. Unfortunately many lives were lost in the massive, unexpected floods in Toowoomba and the Lockyer. Whole towns were swept away. 

Lufflump and I were away when the floods began in January and came home the day before the floods peaked. It was stressful, heartbreaking and scary. The Brisbane River was fierce. The city was like a war zone. Our home was safe but our suburb was hit pretty badly. 

The day after the floods peaked we went for a walk to see the levels. Our local park, bowls club, golf club, and university were under. Units we were going to rent before finding our home went under. We never expected Brisbane to flood although where we previously lived we experienced a flood in October when the dam gates were opened the first time.

College's Crossing - the flood in October

The day after the floods peaked the mister went and helped family friends who almost lost everything. He also had to rescue our car and go see how his grandparent's house in Bellbowrie had fared (thankfully their street was one of few that weren't hit). 

Mt Crosby weir and cars flooded in Kenmore

I went for a walk that afternoon around Toowong to see if anyone needed help. The mud was thick and stank. I spoke to a girl whose grandfather lost everything and a guy whose sister was overseas on holiday and her ground floor unit was inundated. 

Our local park and the mud in Toowong

The next day I went and volunteered in Milton. I didn't expect what I found. It was devastating. I made some banana muffins that morning and gave them to volunteers in some houses. The owner of the house burst into tears thanking me. Fourex beer donated uteloads of beer to volunteers and police officers who all cheered each other in the middle of the street. It was wonderful seeing the city folk come together. 

One of the hardest inner city suburbs hit was Rosalie. A couple of friends and I went to volunteer but everyone was pretty much cleaned out, just waiting for insurance companies to begin the process. A piano was out on the corner next to amazing artwork. I pressed the keys expecting noise, instead the keys were glued together. There was no saving it. Heartbreaking.

As soon as we could, the mister and I volunteered further out the city, at Fairfield. I didn't know what to expect but what we were faced with was horrific. Whole houses had been under water up to their roof. People lost everything including birthday cards, photos, letters, antiques - you name it, we put it into skips. We worked with the army and the Salvo's provided a free BBQ. It was a real team effort.

Volunteering in Fairfield

We were so fortunate that we had a warm house to come home to. So many didn't and still don't. There are so many houses and businesses throughout Goodna, Southbank, Rocklea, Fairfield, and out around Ipswich. Devastation still continues for some people.

In fact, we went out to Karana Downs today to fish at College's Crossing where there was a lovely park and cafe. They are no longer there, it's simply grassland and still looks like a bomb hit it. The beautiful park lufflump and I used to often go to was washed away. I still know that Karana Downs and surrounding areas still are lucky. Bellbowrie Coles is open again and they've used the floods to their advantage, upgrading the building and stores. 

The park before the floods

The park after the floods

Most people have been able to go back to their lives, sleeping in their homes and attending work. But so many haven't, their homes are unliveable, their workplace no longer operating. These people should not be forgotten. The water may have subsided but their pain continues. 

The theme for Mental Health Week 2011 is 'You Lent a Hand, Now Lend an Ear' with the aim that people reach out to those they know were affected by the floods and make sure they are ok. There house could be cleaned up but mental health problems could be just surfacing. 

So what can you do to help those who were affected by the flood? Have a coffee with them and see how they are, ask if they are ok.  It can honestly be as easy as that. Check on them, ask them if they are mentally ok, ask them if you can do anything. Maybe make a meal they can freeze or buy something to replace an object they lost in the floods or open your house to them. Think about what you would like if you were in their situation and do it for them.

Will you extend an ear if you know anyone affected? How?

World Mental Health Day 2011

Today is World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is an annual event endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and occurs on October 10th every year. In Australia, the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is contracted by the government to undertake national coordination of WMHD activities nationwide.

Enhancing awareness of mental health this reducing stigma is the primary goal of WMHD. The theme for the 2011 WMHD is 'The Great Push: Investing In Mental Health'. Does Australia invest enough into mental health services in financial and human resources?

According to the 2011 Budget National Mental Health Reform around one in three or approximately 32% of all Australians experience mental illness at some stage in their life. It also claims that 'Mental illness accounts for 13% of total burden of disease in Australia, and is the largest single cause of disability, comprising 24% of the burden of non-fatal disease'. Should that mean that 24% of the health budget should be allocated to mental health? Not according to the government with a total allocation of $19.75b to health, only $2.2b of that has been allocated to mental health which is 11%. That's over five years as well.

While this amount is (apparently) large there is much talk that removing funding from services such as Better Access and medicare funded psychologist visits are counter productive and will do more harm than good (a topic that will hopefully be covered by a guest poster next week). 11% allocated of the total health budget is still too low, especially as the prime minister vowed to make mental health a budget priority. Maybe the wage being paid to the newly appointed Mental Health Minister could go into community mental health services.

As for human resources, that would be dependant on what the public and private sectors can afford. Unfortunately without money not a lot can run. I also couldn't find much information about whether we have enough human resources but my guess would be no as people still fall through the cracks, some quite easily.

In saying all this, Australia cannot be compared to poorer countries as we are extremely lucky to have the resources we do. According to WHO 'the majority of low- and middle-income countries spend less than 2% of their health budget on mental health.'. 

Australia still has a long way to go and some day I hope to see mental health more prevalent and truly a priority regarding financial and human resources. As WHO put 'we need to increase investment for mental health and to shift the available resources towards more effective and more humanitarian forms of services'.

Mental Health Week 2011

Mental Health Week begins nationwide in Australia this Sunday, 9th October. 

Mental Health Week (MHW) aims to raise community awareness about mental health. It also aims to reduce stigma and help support families, carers and friends of people affected by mental illness through speaking about mental health, mental illness and education.

Every Australian state and territory have committed time, energy and money to supporting MHW with positive past results. Here are the websites to find out events in your state;

Tasmania - 'Keeping the Balance: Investing in Your Mind and Body' Department of Health and Human Services Statewide and Mental Health Services.

Victoria - 'Mental Health - What Do You Know?' Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria).

Australian Capital Territory - 'No Health Without Mental Health' Mental Health Community Coalition ACT.

New South Wales - 'Wellbeing: Invest In Your Life' Mental Health Association NSW.

Queensland - 'You've Lent a Hand, Now Lend an Ear' Mental Health Week.

Northern Territory - 'Wellbeing: Invest In Your Life' Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition.

South Australia - 'Open Your Mind' Mental Health Coalition of South Australia.

Western Australia - 'Let's Talk About It' Western Australian Association of Mental Health.

As I've stated before, I'll be focusing on Queensland's MHW theme as I'm from Queensland and it's close to my heart.