Counselling available as bushfire anniversary approaches

Wimmera residents will have access to counselling and support services through Uniting Wimmera as the 10-year anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires approaches.

Uniting Wimmera will offer case management, counselling and outreach services to people affected by the February 2009 fires.

The services will be funded through the Bushfire Anniversary Health and Wellbeing Support Grants program.

More than 2500 hectares of land in the Wimmera were burnt during the bushfires, including several family homes at Haven and the Horsham Golf Club.

Uniting Wimmera support for families and community manager Louise Netherway said the anniversary could be a traumatic and stressful time for people affected by the fires, especially those who experienced significant loss.

“We will be providing additional mental health and counselling services until the end of February to address this need,” she said.

Mrs Netherway said communities from Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack municipalities would have access to the support.

“We will also work alongside other Wimmera service providers to link people who need additional support into the services that can help,” she said.

Mrs Netherway encouraged anyone who needed someone to talk to or needed support to call Uniting Wimmera on 1800 195 114.