MacKillop Seasons’ Stormbirds program is playing a critical role in helping schools and communities rebuild resilience and wellbeing. Source: MacKillop Family Services.
Communities across regional Victoria are dealing with a devastating emotional and practical toll from recent bushfires and floods, with children often the forgotten victims as families struggle to get their lives back on track.
With an estimated 1.4 million Australian children and young people experiencing a disaster or extreme weather event in an average year, and with significant impacts on mental health, education, and housing stability, the need for responsive, community-led support has never been more urgent.
The Stormbirds program has supported more than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand children and young people impacted by bushfires, floods, storms, cyclones and earthquakes.
“As families navigate loss, displacement, disruption and uncertainty, it is vital that the building blocks for community recovery are started as soon as possible,” Stormbirds national lead, Brooke Nester, says.
The program is an evidence-based, small-group intervention designed to support children and young people after natural disasters.
Supported through the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, Stormbirds provides fully funded professional learning and training in a suite of programs, building local capacity to support children, young people and adults experiencing grief, loss and change.
Following climate related disasters, children often experience heightened anxiety, difficulty concentrating, behavioural changes, challenges regulating emotions, and worries about their own and their family’s future.
Stormbirds creates a safe space where children can process these experiences, understand their emotions, and develop strategies to manage worries, stress and change.
Ms Nester said the recent disasters in Victoria reinforced the importance of trauma-informed, evidence-based support for children and young people.
“Research shows that longer-term, school-based social and emotional learning programs significantly mitigate the mental health impacts of disaster exposure,” she said.
“Stormbirds equips educators and communities with the knowledge, tools and confidence to support children as they process grief, loss and change.
“It also helps identify students who may require additional support, while strengthening communication within families and broader community networks.”
FULL STORY
Stormbirds supports Victorian children to recover from destructive bushfires and floods (MacKillop Family Services)
