TRANSCRIPT
Getting together over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake -- this gathering at the Richmond Community Centre in Greater Western Sydney, is a weekly opportunity for locals to have a chat ... and get to know each other.
This is Birgit Walter, the Centre's manager:
“I think community centres play an essential part in connecting the community, in building and sustaining a resilient and strong community and just for people's mental health and wellbeing.”
In 2019, the region was threatened and devastated by severe bushfires, followed by several extreme floods.
Experiencing disaster after disaster, this initiative - called Cafe Connections - ensures residents don't need to face any kind of adversity alone.
“People feel understood, they don't have to explain, many people here have been through several floods, several fires, some people depending on where they live, once it starts raining the anxiety starts to rise. Once there's bushfires happening or bushfire weather, the anxiety starts to rise. And people understand because we've all been through it.”
According to the Black Dog Institute, between 20-50 percent of those who have experienced an unpredictable or severe weather event may experience elevated levels of anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation or sleep disruption.
In the years following the disaster, 10 to 20 percent of those may experience PTSD.
This is Professor Samuel Harvey, the executive director of the Black Dog Institute.
“For many people even if they and their property hasn't been directly impacted, their friends their family has been, so there is that sort of collective trauma, but the flip side to that, is that when we now think about resilience we don't think about it so much at an individual level, it operates at a group level, so where you've got communities that experience something together, that collectiveness is a great strength.”
With the ethos that better connected communities are more resilient, this initiative aims to provide residents with a wider network to help them withstand, adapt to and recover from hardship.
This is what residents have to say:
“We came down and made some good acquaintances and friends, which are people that we can in future when there's more, hopefully not too many big issues and big problems we can reach out and help, and maybe even be helped ourselves.”
“Get a different perspective on life, it's not about the crisis you're in, it's more about come as you are, have a good time talk about it and they understand. I think it's really important for everyone, even if you don't think you need it, you do.”
“You don't feel alone do you, if you're with a group people and someone says are you okay, it can make a big difference to your day, to how you feel and not being scared and knowing someone is out there for you, or you for them.”
Sustaining the community emotionally and socially, and being there for each other through all seasons of life.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
