A guide to helping others prepare
How to support the mental health of those around you
When it comes to disaster preparedness, helping your household, children, or community plan ahead can make all the difference to their wellbeing. Everyone reacts to stress in their own way — and your support can help them feel calmer, safer, and more in control.
This guide offers practical ways to support others before a disaster hits.
Help others learn the basics
Helping the people around you to mentally and emotionally prepare means you will all manage better in an emergency.
Encourage others to learn these three steps:
Slow your breathing
Research shows that slow, deep breathing can reduce anxiety in the moment.
- Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down
- Inhale slowly through your nose and deep into your lungs for 4 seconds
- Hold your breath for 2 seconds
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds
- Repeat for several minutes or until calm.
Preparing as a family
Getting ready together helps build confidence and connection. Try:
- Step 1: Creating a household emergency plan and practising it
- Step 2: Packing an emergency kit (let everyone choose something important to include)
- Step 3: Making a list of must-take items if you need to evacuate
- Step 4: Preparing your property as a team
Talking to children about disasters
Actively including children in emergency planning can help them feel more secure and develop valuable coping skills.
- Be honest but reassuring — explain that disasters can happen, and there is a plan to stay safe
- Speak calmly and confidently to reduce fear
- Encourage them to ask questions and express how they feel
- Acknowledge that feelings like worry are completely normal
- Speak to them at an age-appropriate level, avoiding scary language or overwhelming detail
- Reassure them: “We have got a plan, and we will get through it together”.
Helping kids manage worry
If a child is feeling worried, it is important to explain that feelings like worry are not bad and will not hurt them.
Encourage them to try some fun activities to help them feel calm:
Squeeze something like a stress ball or playdough
Notice 5 things you can see, feel, or hear
Jump up and down!
Supporting community connection
Disasters affect us all — but preparing together builds resilience. You can:
- Check in with neighbours, especially those who may need extra support
- Sign up to updates via your local council website or emergency services in your state
- Share preparedness tips and mental health resources
- Encourage kindness, calm, and cooperation.
Signs someone may need extra help
- Acting out or withdrawing
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Seeming unusually anxious or angry
- Changes in appetite or energy
- Avoiding discussion or preparations altogether
If these symptoms continue for more than 4–6 weeks, encourage them to speak to a doctor.
Remember, support starts with you
Supporting others is easier when you take care of yourself. Make time for small moments of calm, connection, and rest — looking after yourself helps you show up for others with more energy and patience.
When to seek help
If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is okay to ask for support. Speak with your doctor, psychologist or use any of the helplines:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
13 YARN – 13 92 76
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
QLife – 1800 184 527
1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78
Additional support for children:
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Headspace – 1800 650 890
ReachOut – reachout.com
Extra support
Need support in your language?
Visit: www.tisnational.gov.au or ask for an interpreter.
At Suncorp, we are here to protect what matters most — including the wellbeing of your loved ones and community. For support with disaster recovery and emotional wellbeing, visit: www.suncorp. com.au/insurance/extreme-weather-assistance.
Sometimes your circumstances might mean you need additional support or assistance in dealing with us. This could be due to your physical or mental health, family or financial situation, or cultural background. Please visit: www.suncorp.com.au/insurance/difficult-circumstances.
For more wellbeing tips and resources
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. You must read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decisions about insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available on our websites. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. The guide set out above about what to do before or after a disaster is intended to be of a general nature only, and we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon it. Please make your own enquiries.