Disaster relief and community recovery

About Lifeline Community Recovery

In the wake of a crisis or environmental disaster in Queensland, Lifeline is there to help people deal with trauma and cope with grief and loss.

At the request of authorities and community leaders, the Lifeline Community Recovery team will visit a community to provide mental health support and psychological first aid in the weeks and months after bushfires, floods, drought, cyclones, pandemics and tragedy. We support people as they work through shock and begin to come to grips with their experiences.

This process takes time. We often continue to support communities in the years following a crisis, in partnership with other services. Our Community Recover team can assist people in accessing longer-term supports.

Lifeline disasters hotline

The Lifeline disasters hotline is a dedicated confidential support service available for people affected by disasters who need emotional support. Call 1800 116 671 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm to speak with experienced and qualified disaster specialist staff. Outside those hours, contact the 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Line for help. Affected residents can also receive face-to-face support at Community Recovery Hubs operating in disaster zones.

People we support

We support people who are directly and indirectly affected by an event. This includes:

  • Individuals and their families.
  • Extended families.
  • Witnesses.
  • Business operators.
  • People from support organisations who have experienced vicarious trauma.

The Community Recovery team

The Community Recovery team is here to help communities face the future together. The Community Recovery team has been supporting Queensland communities since the Townsville Black Hawk helicopter disaster in 1996. We continue to respond through our trained staff and network of services across the state.

The Community Recovery team consists of crisis support officers, with a wide range of experience and expertise, including:

  • Social workers.
  • Psychologists.
  • Financial counsellors.
  • Domestic and family violence specialists.
  • Family support workers.
  • Homelessness specialists.

Our team also encompasses volunteers, including crisis supporters from Lifeline’s 13 11 14 Crisis Support Line and the 13YARN crisis line.

We also develop relationships with local partner agencies and local governments who manage evacuation centres during events to ensure we provide co-ordinated community support services.

Want to join our team?

If you would like to work for the team as a Community Recovery Crisis Support Officer, please complete our Expressions of Interest form below.

Enquire now

Get Ready Queensland

Learn how to prepare for extreme weather events and emergencies in Queensland.

Resources for disaster and crisis support

Have you recently experienced a community disaster, trauma, or loss? The following resources provide practical information on how to prepare for and cope with the effects and experiences brought on by crisis or natural disasters. Still feel stuck? Call our 24/7 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Support Line.

General information

General information

  • Community Recovery Brochure
    485.9 KB
    Download pdf

Toolkits and factsheets

  • Coping with loss and change in a community after a bushfire
    1015.39 KB
    Download pdf
  • Coping with loss and grief
    498.67 KB
    Download pdf
  • Coping with sorrow loss and grief for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
    1.05 MB
    Download pdf
  • Dealing with trauma
    45.56 KB
    Download pdf
  • Drought tool kit
    748.37 KB
    Download pdf
  • Getting through floods drought and extreme climate events
    678.77 KB
    Download pdf
  • Helping your children cope with the after effects of a natural disaster
    238.17 KB
    Download pdf
  • A whole person approach to wellbeing
    299.5 KB
    Download pdf

Training

Lifeline Queensland offers in-depth training to equip you with the skills to support yourself and your community in times of crisis.

Man looking left into the distance and woman head in hand after a disaster, backs towards viewer
Psychological First Aid: A Whole Person Approach

Develop skills to respond to those in distress after critical events and natural disasters.

A group of 10 people walk into the sunset with their arms linked.
Strengthening Connections

Learn how to support someone immediately following a disaster or critical event until professional help is available.

LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST)

Gain the skills to provide an intervention with friends, family members and colleagues who are at risk of suicidal thoughts.

Lifeline Corporate Training provides more training courses for workplaces and the public.

Expressions of interest

If you would like to join the team as a Crisis Support Officer, please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.


 

Holding on to Hope podcast

“It‘s really important that you recognise that what you‘re going through is not a journey you have to do alone.” - Black Saturday bushfire survivor Chris Bogusis
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