Survivor guilt after bushfires

 Survivor guilt after bushfires

25 March 2013

published by www.abc.net.au

Australia —  As fire-affected communities like Coonabarabran and Bookham in central west New South Wales gradually rebuild their lives, there’s a huge emotional fall-out to be navigated, as well as the physical hardship.

Consultant psychologist Rob Gordon, has worked with survivors in the wake of bushfires, floods and earthquakes and he says the impacts are often surprising and disturbing for people.

“There’s a lot to be processed, a long recovery period.

“So cut yourselves a break and don’t try to do it too fast, because you can’t.”

Mr Gordon says the recovery period is a time when communities can help each other, but there’s also going to be some fracturing to the community as well, because people handle things very differently.