Best practice guidelines

- orange-dot-point APS Ethical Guidelines on co-ordinated disaster response, pro bono, or voluntary psychological services  

- orange-dot-point Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health developed these guidelines in consultation with trauma experts from a range of disciplines, as well as people affected by trauma. These guidelines provide practical recommendations applicable in all healthcare settings.

APS tip sheets

APS tip sheets inform clients about a range of psychological issues and how psychologists can help. They are a useful resource for private practitioners and other health professionals, especially GPs.

Useful links and resources

- orange-dot-point Disaster Response Network (DRN)

The Disaster Response Network (DRN) is a national network of psychologists who have a special interest and expertise in working with individuals and communities affected by disasters and emergencies in Australia as well as those working to assist them. 

- orange-dot-point Psychosocial Support in Disasters web portal

This web portal provides health professionals working with disaster-affected individuals and communities with a step-by-step guide to disaster response and the psychological implications at each stage from preparation through to response and recovery.  

- orange-dot-point Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide

Developed by the National Center for PTSD, PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress, and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning.

- orange-dot-point Mental health and primary care resources

Developed by the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network (ACATLGN, these guidelines were designed to assist general practitioners and health professionals working in primary care after the disaster of the Victorian bushfires. There are relevant to other natural disasters where there is where people are exposed to life-threatening stressors and losses.

International disasters

- orange-dot-point APS Statement on the Role of Psychologists in International Emergencies  

- orange-dot-point IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC ) issues these guidelines to enable humanitarian actors to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in the midst of an emergency.  

Bushfire disaster recovery briefing

A briefing was held on Tuesday 3 March 2009, for psychologists and other allied health professionals interested in the Victorian bushfire disaster response. The briefing was presented by members of the APS Disaster Preparedness and Response Reference Group, and other experts in disaster response and psychological recovery.

Downloads

An audio file of the briefing can be downloaded below in either MP3 or WMA format. If the audio file does not play immediately, right-click on link and select "Save Target As ..." to save file to your computer. 

 

The presentations from the briefing can be downloaded below:

  • Professor Richard Bryant, Scientia Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales
    View presentation - Acrobat icon - small

  • Professor Mark Creamer, Director of the Australian Centre for Post-Traumatic Mental Health
    View presentation - Acrobat icon - small

  • Dr Rob Gordon, Consultant Psychologist to the Victorian Emergency Recovery Plan and to Red Cross
    View presentation - Acrobat icon - small

  • Mr Andrew Coghlan, National Manager, Emergency Services, Australian Red Cross
    View presentation - Acrobat icon - small

Resources and references

  • General reference list - Acrobat icon - small

  • McNally, R.J., Bryant, R.A., Ehlers, A. (2003).  Does early psychological intervention promote recovery from posttraumatic stress? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 4, 2, 45-79.
    View article - Acrobat icon - small
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