What families can do to look after themselves following a flood

Flooding in Australia is increasing in frequency and severity, and the impacts on those families and children affected are significant.

In this episode, our host Ben Rogers talks with psychologist and educator Michelle Roberts about what families can do to look after themselves following a flood. Michelle is the director of the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Loss and Grief Network at the Australian National University and one of the leading experts in disaster recovery.

Michelle discusses the impact floods can have on children and families, and explores key practical ways in which parents and carers can support their children as the family recovers from these potentially devasting events.

Content warning: This podcast includes themes related to disasters. If listening to this podcast brings up any difficult feelings for you, you can seek help from one of these mental health crisis or support services.

In this episode you will learn:

• practical ways to talk to your child about planning for natural disasters, tailored to your child’s age, developmental level and temperament [5:44]
• the impact flooding has on families, and what parents and carers can do to support children and themselves following an event like a flood [8:25]
• how to safely start the conversation with your children about natural disasters, without the risk of negatively impacting their mental health and wellbeing [14:31]
• what resources and other supports are available to help engage children in conversations around natural disasters [18:42]
• the key things about natural disasters Michelle would like all families to know [26:46]

Further information and resources:

Website: Birdie’s Tree – Growing together through natural disasters

Article: Supporting your child after a flood

Fact sheet: Common responses among teenagers who experience a flood

Fact sheet: Common responses among primary school-aged children who experience a flood

Fact sheet: Common responses among toddlers and preschoolers who experience a flood

Fact sheet: Helping your child to prepare for a flood

Fact sheet: 16 tips to support your child’s recovery after a flood

Fact sheet: How to support your child in the weeks after a flood

Fact sheet: Looking after your wellbeing following a flood

Fact sheet: Helping your children in a flood emergency