Online information has been developed by Beyond Blue to provide practical advice on dealing with the emotional impact of bushfires, information on the signs and symptoms of emotional distress, tips for supporting children and young people affected by the bushfires and links to useful resources. The web page emphasises the importance in knowing the difference between a common reaction to a stressful or traumatic event and signs that indicate a person should seek additional support. The webpage is available at: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/bushfires-and-mental-health.
Draft guidelines by the NHMRC on reducing health risk from drinking alcohol are open for public comment until 24 February 2020. The updated guidelines, developed over the past three years, build on the 2009 guidelines and reflect the most recent evidence on the health effects of alcohol consumption. Among the recommendations are that healthy men and women drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four on any one day, and that young people under the age of 18 years and pregnant women drink no alcohol. Submissions on the guide lines can be made via the NHMRC’s online portal, https://online.nhmrc.gov.au/public-consultation/nhmrc-draft-revised-australian-guidelines-reduce-health-risks-drinking-alcohol.