Disaster relief and community recovery

Lifeline Community Recovery

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

The Community Recovery team is activated at the request of state or local government authorities, or local community leaders.

We provide counselling or ‘psychological first-aid’ to support people as they work through shock and begin to come to grips with their experiences. This process takes time, and so we often continue to support communities for years after a crisis.

For anyone who requires ongoing support, we will put them in touch with the right services to ensure they get the help they need.

People we support

We engage and support people directly impacted by the event, as well as those indirectly affected including:

• extended families
• business operators
• people from other organisations providing support who may have experienced vicarious trauma from the event.

The Community Recovery team

You will be supported by professionals from a range of fields including social work and psychology, counselling and psychotherapy, and specialist volunteers.

We are continually developing relationships with local partner agencies as well as local governments who manage evacuation centres during disaster events to ensure we provide coordinated support for communities.

When is Community Recovery activated?

The need for recovery may arise from floods, cyclones, bushfires, acts of terrorism and major health emergencies, road accidents and other community crises.

The Lifeline Community Recovery Program has been supporting Queensland communities since the Black Hawk helicopter disaster in Townsville in 1996 and continues to respond through its trained staff and network of services across the state.