Disaster trauma training

A crucial part of disaster recovery is supporting clinicians on the frontline. The widespread nature of STC Debbie meant expertise was needed in regions in Queensland’s far north and west.

To support clinicians helping those affected, Dr Vanessa Cobham, a world-renowned authority on treating trauma in young people and senior clinical psychologist for Children’s Health Queensland, ran a series of workshops in the Proserpine/Whitsunday region in October 2017.

The workshops focused on cognitive behaviour therapies and followed a school-based screening program that had been conducted earlier in the year.

The training in psychological recovery skills enabled 25 clinicians, in hardest-hit regions, to help young people suffering distress as a result of the cyclone.

The program also offered assistance to parents and other family members.

Support for impacted communities from mental health professionals was provided through the NDRRA’s Community Recovery Fund (Category C).