Ten years after the Black Saturday bushfires, the Australian community is looking back on what has been learned from both the initial response and the long-term recovery. In particular, emphasis is being placed on what can be done to help improve recovery from future disasters, blending a mix of short, medium, and long-term efforts, integrating various levels of government with non-governmental organization and health professional associations, to ensure those affected can receive the necessary support.
For the recovery, concerns abounded regarding the proper methods for supporting the mental health of survivors and those displaced by disasters, according to an article published by two professors at The University of Melbourne. While strong agreement exists as to how to assist those with mental health disorders, concerns and disagreements remain as to how best to help maintain the spirits of those who do not develop diagnosable mental health issues, but who still face significant struggles during the disaster recovery efforts. One method has been the SOLAR (Skills for Life Adjustment and Resilience) program, which was adapted from the approaches used in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the United States with the intent of offering techniques for improving general wellbeing and quality of life.
In addition to more formal programs, the recovery has also shown the important of community ties, with those involved in local groups showing stronger mental health and wellbeing outcomes. This involvement was shown to be of such importance that, in communities where many people belonged to local groups, the benefits often extended to those in the community not in the same groups.
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