Over the past decades we have learnt so much about the potential long term mental health and wellbeing impacts of disasters for individuals and communities. The research on risk factors also identified a wide range of opportunities to protect wellbeing outcomes through pre and post disaster initiatives. These are captured in practical resources that provide guidance for communities and service providers - but the goal post keeps shifting.
In this presentation the relevance of current Australian and international evidence will be discussed in the context of rapid changes in climate, technology and social behaviours. This will include examination of the changing mental health trajectories arising from exposure to single versus compounding disasters. The rise of climate anxiety will be discussed as a potential influence on disaster recovery and experiences of nature as a restorative space. The protective benefits of social connection will also be explored in relation to rising polarization and the importance of local spaces where people can gather. Finally, the ongoing relevance of existing resources will be endorsed provided they are applied within an updated conceptual framework that acknowledges community exposure to compounding crises including disasters.