Zoe Moffatt
Macedon Ranges council is hosting a talk with a clinical psychologist on post-flood recovery on August 24 to continue to support residents following the October 2022 floods.
The free talk will be held at the Woodend Community Centre at 6pm, where Dr Rob Gordon will talk about cumulative effects of trauma.
Dr Gordon said when disasters like the 2022 floods happen, people tend to ignore their welfare to address immediate damage.
“When any emergency happens people simply switch on and go into high energy activity to deal with the immediate consequences,” he said.
“In that state, their focus is on the physical damage, and usually people ignore their welfare to a certain extent and do what has to be done.”
Dr Gordon said while this can be a positive short term response, people need to lean on community support and form healthy habits for long term success.
“When we get down the track a little bit, like three months, six months or so … that very high energy activity settles down,” he said.
“[People] need to feel part of their community and get the support from their friends and neighbours.
“If people get too deep in that sort of continuing stress mode … [and] if they’re not really tuning in to their physical state, there’s a possibility that their health will deteriorate without them realising.”
Dr Gordon said anyone embarking on a long term recovery process should check in with their general practitioner (GP), and try to maintain their recreational and social life.
“Just go and have a check in with your GP or health practitioner … and then go back and see them at least every six months.
“That way you’ve got someone else keeping an eye on things, because when you’re in that narrow focus on your big task of recovery you don’t include your body in that.
“Also make sure you allocate time and energy … to recreational pursuits. When you’re in stress mode, recreation feels like a waste of time.
“So my recommendation is to waste time regularly, you’ll probably just end up doing things you enjoy.”
Details: rb.gy/rl7e4
