Different but also the same : mental illness and bushfire planning, preparation and response

At some point in their lives, almost half the Australian population experiences a mental illness that can affect how they think and feel, their relationships, and their social and economic status (Department of Health and Ageing 2012). They can be uniquely vulnerable to disaster risks because of these symptoms, widespread stigma, their reliance on health services, or their social and economic marginalisation. The South Australia Department of Communities and Social Inclusion Vulnerable Persons project (2013) identified that including this group in future capacity-building programs was a high priority. However, very little is known about the unique needs of people experiencing a mental illness during emergencies, nor about interventions that can increase their resilience to natural disasters. In an exploratory study of five households during the 2014 bushfires in South Australia, those who experienced a more severe illness that effected their social connections and income were more vulnerable. Carers with multiple responsibilities were also more vulnerable. However, those who had a realistic assessment of bushfire risk (similar to the wider population) and had access to bushfire safety information were better prepared physically and psychologically. The interviews suggest that bushfire safety was helped by early evacuation to calming places, audio-visual materials and face-to-face education on bushfire safety, and community connections.