The tragedy and devastation of the weekend's events across the region has prompted questions surrounding the availability of mental health services for firefighters.
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Krystal Miller described hearing her husband's "shaking voice" down the phone line after he joined the firefighting efforts around Adelong and Wondalga during the worst of the weekend's weather.
The couple are both long-term members of Mount Horeb RFS, meaning Mrs Miller has had occasion to communicate with a number of men and women on the frontline.
The conditions they have spoken of, she said, have been harrowing.
"The firefighters are blaming themselves for the houses that have been destroyed," Mrs Miller said.
"We've got all these services here [for evacuees] but who's looking after the firefighter's mental health? How do we help them when this is all over?"
That question and others like it has prompted Canberra-based psychology service Assure to offer free over-the-phone counselling to anyone affected by the fires, including firefighters and their families.
The service is available via the 1800 276 113 phone line.
"One of the issues here is that this has gone on for so long and it's not over yet," said Michele Grow, CEO of Mental Health and Wellness at Assure.
"Black Friday and Ash Wednesday were disastrous, but they were over quite quickly. With this one, there's a reprieve but we've heard more difficult weather is coming and that adds to the anxiety."
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Staying in a place of such uncertainty for so long, Ms Grow said, compound fatigue and feelings of being overwhelmed for the men and women on the frontline.
"There's no break, and that leads to people thinking, 'what if I had have done this or that, would things be different'," Ms Grow said.
"All of these feelings are normal. People will feel guilt, anger, sadness, every range of emotion.
"You would be abnormal if you weren't feeling this way after all you've been through."
For the family members and friends of those who have experienced trauma in the fire zone, Ms Grow recommended trying to shift their perspective from what was lost to what was saved.
"If they're stuck in a pattern, saying 'that house was lost', well that might be so, but how many others were saved? Reframe it, in some of these cases, no matter what anyone did it may not have been possible to save that house," she said.
As the crisis continues and once the recovery effort begins, Ms Grow said, it would be a matter of ensuring the conversations have the room to continue.
"There are clues to look out for if you're concerned about someone. They may over-use alcohol, or work too much as a way to not think about it," Ms Grow said.
"Withdrawing, suddenly stopping doing the things they would once enjoy, avoiding talking about it, getting involved with risk-taking behaviour. These will give you a sense that they need support."
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For those struggling at the moment, Ms Grow recommends talking through or writing down concerns and acknowledging that every individual will differ when it comes to the length of their recovery.
Displaced residents feeling the stress of their predicament can access mental health services immediately through the evacuation centres in Wagga and Tumut.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District community manager Alison Thorne told The Daily Advertiser that counselling services would be offered to anyone who has been affected by the fire in any measure.
"People who are elderly or isolated, and those who have a pre-existing mental illness, history of trauma or recent bereavement may be particularly vulnerable and should not hesitate to seek or receive attention from a health provider when it is practical to do so," Ms Thorne said.
"Anyone experiencing persistent issues impacting their day-to-day lives [is] encouraged to talk to their General Practitioner or regular health care provider."
If you, or anyone you know is struggling you can also contact:
- Lifeline -13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78