Guide to helping others recover

Supporting others after a natural disaster

After a natural disaster, emotional recovery can take time. Supporting someone through this period can be just as important as helping with physical repairs. By offering calm, practical, and compassionate support, you can help them find their feet again. Use this guide to find some practical tips to support those around you.

How to support others

Whether you are helping a family member, neighbour, or someone else in your community, there are many ways to assist them in the journey to recovery.

Offer practical support

Provide things like meals, groceries, help with clean-up or linking them with recovery services

Encourage time out

Invite them for a walk, a cup of tea or to watch something light-hearted

Support healthy routines

Help them stick to regular meals, rest, movement and connection

Be ready to talk

Listen with care and empathy, without needing to ‘fix’ everything

Let them know it is okay to ask for help

Encourage them to speak to a doctor or mental health professional if they need further support

Take care of yourself too

Your ability to support others depends on your own wellbeing.

Tips for supportive conversations

It can be hard to know what to say when someone is struggling, but showing you are concerned for them can make a big difference.

These tips can help you approach the conversation with care and compassion.

Choose a calm, private time to talk.
Expect that they might feel overwhelmed, angry, tearful, or shut down. These are normal responses to trauma
Let them lead — if they want to talk, listen. If not, just being present matters
Validate their experience — try saying: “It makes sense you feel that way” or “I am really sorry this has been so hard.”
Avoid unhelpful advice or comparisons — each person’s recovery journey is unique
Follow up in a few days — it shows you care, and that support is ongoing.

Supporting children and young people

Most children and young people will get back on track with support from family, teachers and peers. Recovery is different for each child, so it is important to give them time and seek advice from a health professional if you have any concerns.

Check in regularly and let them express feelings through words, play or drawing
Stick to routines like school, meals and bedtimes — this builds emotional safety
Be honest and calm — answer questions truthfully and remind them they’re safe
Encourage hobbies and time with friends to restore normality and confidence
Limit their exposure to distressing news or adult conversations about the disaster
Involve them in positive recovery actions, like helping a neighbour or planning fun activities.

Supporting your community

There are lots of ways you can support your community to achieve a healthy and sustainable recovery. This will help the people around you and can also have a positive impact on your own wellbeing.

Check on neighbours and friends — especially those who may be vulnerable or isolated
Volunteer with local clean-up or recovery initiatives
Share accurate information and emotional support in your networks
Celebrate small wins and recovery milestones together — hope is powerful.

Signs someone might need help

If you notice any of these signs, gently encourage the person to speak to a doctor or seek professional support:

Appearing very anxious, irritable or angry
Withdrawing or avoiding social contact
Seeming emotionally numb or overwhelmed
Having trouble sleeping or unable to function in daily life
Expressing hopelessness or talking about suicide or self-harm
Using drugs or alcohol to cope.

The importance of self-care

Helping others can be emotionally demanding. Make time for rest, movement, connection and things that help you recharge. Strong support starts with self-care.

Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling
Rest and recharge when you need to — even short breaks help
Use grounding or breathing techniques to manage stress
Connect with others who can support you too.

Square Breathing Exercise

Follow along with this Square Breathing meditation to calm breathing and reduce stress and anxiety.

To practise square breathing, settle comfortable in a chair. Place both feet on the ground, and your hands on your abdomen to feel the movement of your breath.

Breathe in, two, three, four.

Hold, two three, four.