Mental health, wellbeing and resilience after the 2019-20 bushfires: The Australian national bushfire health and wellbeing survey - A preliminary report

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the mental health and wellbeing following Australia’s 2019-20 bushfires, with data recorded 12-18 months after the bushfire season ended. Findings are based on 3,083 adults' responses in an online survey to standard measures of psychological distress (i.e., symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and posttraumatic stress disorder), loneliness, social connectedness, financial security and psychological resilience (i.e., resilient coping, posttraumatic growth and psychological wellbeing). A novel framework for classifying respondents' severity of bushfire exposure is used based on respondents' range of experiences, rather than their postal code alone. High rates of depression, anxiety and stress were recorded across the whole sample, with severity of bushfire exposure associated with greater severity of distress. For men and women with high bushfire exposure, one in five reported symptoms associated with the clinical cut-off for PTSD. Parents with dependents impacted by bushfire reported more behavioural and emotional challenges in their children than children in communities not impacted by bushfire. Psychological distress among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was especially high among women affected by bushfire, compared to Indigenous men and non-Indigenous people. Markers of psychological resilience across the whole sample included endorsement of resilient coping, personal growth and psychological wellbeing. Notably, bushfire-affected, Indigenous, and parent respondents all reported higher levels of wellbeing and growth. Six key recommendations are put forward to meet the ongoing mental health and wellbeing needs of people affected by bushfire.