SUPPORTING SOMEONE AFFECTED BY A NATURAL DISASTER OR EMERGENCY

R U OK? Mateship Manual

How you can help someone who’s doing it tough because of a natural disaster or emergency

Natural disasters and emergencies disrupt lives and routines. When things around us change, we change too – and what that means for us emotionally is different for everyone.

The environmental impact of the event might be immediate, as it is with flood or bushfire, but it might also develop over time, as it does with drought. Depending on what people are already dealing with in their lives, the emotional impact can be difficult for people to cope with both in the short and longer term.

The R U OK? Mateship Manual provides guidance and tips to help you support a family member, friend, neighbour or workmate affected by a natural disaster or an emergency now and into the future.

To learn the signs that someone might be struggling and how to ask them "are you OK?" and provide support download your free digital copy now. If you’d like a printed copy fill in the form below.

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Order FREE Mateship Manuals and get more tips

You can order physical copies of the Mateship Manual from the R U OK? merchandise store. These will be mailed to you by R U OK? at no cost.

If you would like to order a large quantity of Mateship Manuals, get in touch with us through the contact us page

This resource was informed by lived experience perspectives in addition to clinical andresearch expertise, using trauma informed thinking.

It was developed in collaboration with the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research Group, University of South Australia (UniSA).

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Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe

R U OK? acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are an inclusive organisation and respect people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe

R U OK? acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are an inclusive organisation and respect people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.

R U OK? acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are an inclusive organisation and respect people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

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