The response to the crisis in this country has been overwhelming, I'm sure everyone here would agree
It's beyond anything anyone has seen in their lifetime and will continue for a long time yet, there's a reprieve at the moment as the weather has cooled which has given firefighters the opportunity to try to contain the fires that continue to burn
Aside from the immediate need for assistance for people who have lost their homes and their livelihoods, whole towns that have burned to the ground, the impact upon our wildlife and environment and so on, the Australian government has pledged millions of dollars for mental health support, for all the people who have been impacted and traumatised by this dreadful turn of events.
Good to see they're stepping up to the plate and thinking ahead for once.
One of my clients has DID, it's incredibly fascinating; I'd never met anyone previously with this disorder.
Sarah has three distinct other personalities but for the most part hasn't displayed them to me.
I suspect that like many with a severe mental illness, for example schizophrenia, people can often mask their symptoms when they feel the need.
Sarah has schizophrenia also.
Sarah's support workers often see her other 'parts', one being a young boy, but lately another one, Sally, has appeared.
And Sally has been text messaging me frequently over the past couple of weeks saying 'Sarah can't find Charlie'.
Charlie was Sarah's beloved dog who was put to sleep a couple of weeks back, so distressing for her
Of course we'll support her through this but the anguish a pet owner experiences upon the loss of their dear pet is of course exacerbated when people's lives are affected by mental illness.
While this link is mostly pertaining to koalas, one of the most iconic Australian animals, please remember that millions of others have been destroyed or suffered dreadful injuries
Wombats, kangaroos, possums, reptiles and countless other native species ..
Also cattle, sheep and people's beloved pets that were unable to be saved when people had to flee their properties, heartbreaking
Particularly for our wildlife, not only has millions of acres of their habitat been destroyed, birds who migrate north during winter from the cold weather in the southern states will arrive and find nothing.
The RSPCA have also pledged their veterinarian services to euthanise animals that are badly injured
And I believe that Australian Defense Forces, who have now arrived to assist in these fire-ravaged areas, have been given the dreadful task of collecting the thousands of charred remains of our beautiful wild creatures
Thank you so much for your thoughts and wishes Red
I know it's difficult to comprehend the scale of disasters like this when we are in another country and also to have empathy and compassion for those who are suffering but you have shown your support right from the get go.
It's truly terrifying and with no end in sight, words fail to express the extent of it
serene56 Forum Posts (27,957)
RE: Australia Burning.......