Metropolitan
Prepare mentally for a metropolitan disaster by having plans in place and knowledge of what support is available in the event that a disaster may occur.
Recovery is the process of supporting communities affected by a disaster to rebuild physical infrastructure and restore economic, social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It is a complex process that is influenced by the nature of the disaster. It may last weeks, months or even years.
It is common for people to experience a range of emotional reactions to a disaster. Sometimes the impact is obvious straight away but often it's a slow process and can have a longer-term impact. Common responses may include:
In addition to the trauma of the incident itself, it is also important to consider the potential broader impacts of a disaster on the emotional wellbeing and functioning of individuals and communities. This may include:
During the recovery phase, it is important to acknowledge and work with the strengths and resilience of the affected community and ensure that recovery efforts are shaped around community needs.
For most people, the emotional impacts of a disaster may be relatively mild and will reduce over the initial days and weeks with the support of family and friends and others in the community.
If available through the State Recovery Hotline, encourage the person to register for a health and wellbeing outreach visit — 1800 302 787
Visit sa.gov.au website for more information on response and recovery arrangements