Australia has a long history of coping with and surviving natural disasters, bushfires included. But this time around the sheer scale of the situation in Victoria has knocked all Australians for six. Once the immediate danger has been dealt with, attention turns to the psychological welfare of those who've been directly affected. There's also a ripple effect through entire communities and families as well

Dr Bob Montgomery is the President of the Australian Psychological Society and he's worked with bushfire survivors in the past, most recently those affected by the ACT bushfires a few years back. He offers advice on the best way to help at this early stage.

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Original at: http://www.abc.net.au:80/rn/lifematters/stories/2009/2485749.htm