Victorian Bushfires Forum

The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) and General Practice Victoria (GPV) jointly hosted a Forum for Divisions of General Practice in bushfire affected areas as an opportunity to exchange information and facilitate the best outcomes in supporting individuals and communities who have survived the devestating February 09 bushfires in Victoria.

The forum brought together state and federal government policy staff, clinical experts and divisions teams to discuss the next steps for the bushfire recovery for those affected communities. There will be opportunity for Divisions to work in partnership with state government initiatives, with schools and the case manager network in building resilience.

Federal Health Minister, the Hon Nicola Roxon attended the forum to launch the Management of Trauma DVD jointly produced by the Rural Health Education Foundation and the Centre for Post-Traumatic Mental Health. Participants also heard about best practice in post traumatic stress from a range of experts.

Divisions provided their input and ideas on community based activities and partnerships to build psychological and emotional recovery, and will be invited to apply for additional capacity building funds to enable them to deliver timely and appropriate mental health care to individuals and families impacted by the fires.

 

 The Hon. Nicola Roxon addressing the forum

Presentations

Evaluation of the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) projects, Bridget Bassilios, Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics, The University of Melbourne click here

Australian Psycological Society, Education and Training, Harry Lovelock click here

Children & disaster trauma, evidence & best practice, Brett McDermott, Mater Child and Youth Mental Health Service click here 

Making it work locally....Linking the pieces, AGPN click here

Overview of DHS Initiatives, Gill Callister, Executive Director, Mental Health and Drugs Division, Department of Human Services click here

Mental Health Response to Victorian Bushfires, Kerry Byrne, Acting Director, Community Services Section, Department of Health and Ageing click here

Mental Health Response to Disaster, Mark Creamer, PhD, Director, Australian centre for Posttraumatic mental Health, University of Melbourne click here 

Psychology in the Public Interest, Dr Susie Bourke, Australian Psychological Society click here 

Australian Government mental health bushfire response, Colleen Krestensen, Assistant Secretary, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Programs Branch, Mental Health & Workforce Division, Department of Health and Ageing click here 

Australian Guidelines for the treatment of adults with ASD & PTSD, David Forbes, PhD, Clinical Director, ACPMH, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne click here 

Bushfire response and recovery, Vicki Trethowan, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development click here