IN the process of preparing and cleaning up after Cyclone Alfred, one of the things that can be forgotten is the mental toll it takes.
Understanding this strain and seeing it first hand while working with the Chainsaw Warriors, psychologist and owner of Tamborine Mountain Psychology, Nev Jones, put his training to use supporting many of our most vulnerable residents.
In the three or four days following the cyclone Nev said he did almost 30 welfare checks which came from the police, doctors and Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz’s office,
Safety assessments, enrolment in aged care, help with insurance, emergency transport, domestic violence interventions, as well as repairing generators and clearing driveways, were just some of the ways Nev helped out.
He jokes that he also drank about 1000 cups of coffee and tea while listening to the many vulnerable, unwell, disable or elderly people struggling.
He calls himself a jack of trades.
Often, he didn’t know what to expect before he arrived.
“I’d rock up to a welfare check with a chainsaw in my hand, but when there is a community need that’s what you have to do,” he said.
“There were a lot of elderly without generators who lived alone on larger properties and were not able to access information.
“The majority were not managing well. A lot didn’t have intimate support from neighbours.
“They were very agitated, upset and lonely, that’s why the human contact was so important.”
Nev said as Tamborine Mountain continues the recovery process it’s not too late to check in on neighbours and connect with the community as often a trauma response can be delayed.
“The loneliness and lack of connection was the biggest issue I found facing people, particularly when the phones and internet access went down,” he said.
“The greatest protective factor to stress and recovery is connection,” he stressed.
“There are lots of resources up here for people to be able to connect. Even if you don’t know your neighbours – go and introduce yourself.
“The best thing we can do is return to normality and get our routines back.”
He said the way everyone worked together to support the community blew his mind.
Nev also urged residents to begin now to prepare for the next disaster, which would put people in a position of confidence.
“To build resilience for next time it is about connection and preparation. Learning to use your generator, preparing your home, then we will be physically and externally prepared and then mentally prepared,” he said.
Nev also recommended normalising children’s feelings and experiences and reminding them it’s okay to be scared, stressed or angry, but it’s also important to recognise the cyclone was a moment in time and to get back to a routine.
“I had my kids out cleaning up the yard and going around to neighbours. Rather than shielding them from the problem it is better to have them help with the resolution of it,” he recommended.
