The Phoenix Project
This is a project that aims to help communities who were impacted by the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires. The focus is on recovery after the bushfires and increasing resilience to natural disasters within the community, which may help with recovery efforts for possible bushfires or other events in the future. We are looking at working with the local communities to help with recovery and community wellbeing after the bushfires and also to build preparedness for any future bushfires (should they occur again). It is our aim to obtain information from local residents who have experienced bushfires and utilise their experiences and input to produce a programme that will also help future communities in Australia to recover from bushfires. We want to work with you to adapt a community-based program (Community-Based Disaster Mental Health Intervention (CBDMHI)) for the community. The project will involve two stages. Part 1 will involve running a series of focus group discussions with members of the community. We are wanting to consult with the community to gain an understanding of their community needs after the Black Summer Bushfires and work with them in creating a disaster mental health intervention that meets local needs and fosters mental health, community cohesion and resilience. Part 2 of this program will be running the modified CBDMHI within the community to try to improve mental health, disaster preparedness and community resilience. After a bushfire it can take a while for a community to recover and heal and we are wanting to implement a program that helps with this process. In taking part in a focus group discussion, you can help ensure that the program is suited to the needs of your local community. Taking part in the 2nd part of the program can also help to improve wellbeing, resilience and also preparedness for any future events (if they occur). Your participation will also help other Australian bushfire affected families in the future. Yes, the program has helped people in other countries after weather events such as floods and hurricanes. We are wanting to ensure that it is adapted to suit Australians after a bushfire, and especially, to meet the needs of the local community.
How to participate?
All stages of the project are now completed. A report will be provided over the coming months.
We extend our thanks to all participants in each stage of the project, their support has been much appreciated.
Funding
This project is funded by the Black Summer Recovery Grant Scheme ($320,000).
Project Summary
The Phoenix Project aims to build recovery and resilience as well as improve wellbeing and mental health following bushfires. The Phoenix project implements the internationally successful Community-Based Disaster Mental Health (CBDMHI) program in communities affected by Black Summer Bushfires. This program is specifically designed for adaptation to local cultural and disaster contexts. Using a process of community consultation, the CBDMHI will be tailored for supporting communities impacted by bushfires in rural Australia. The program will aid recovery and build resilience for future bushfires, supporting the wellbeing of communities. A framework will be available after the project to enable broader implementation for those impacted by natural disasters in Australia.
Project Team
A/Prof Suzie Cosh
A/Prof Amy Lykins
Dr Phil Tully
Dr Warren Bartik
Dr Kylie Rice
A/Prof Clara Murray
Ms Caitlin Pike (PhD candidate)
Ms Joanne Robinson
Project Partners
Dr Courtney Walton-Mitchell, Director, Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response Certificate, Colorado School of Public Health
Supporting partners
Bushfire Recovery, Hunter and New England Primary Health Network
Australian Psychological Society, New England Northwest
Practical Health Consulting
Contact
A/Prof Suzie Cosh scosh@une.edu.au
