Federal government pledges $76 million to bushfire trauma treatment

Almost $30 million will be spent doubling the number of free psychological therapy sessions bushfire-affected people can access through Medicare.

Farmer Farren Terlich is seen on his burnt-out property in Verona, NSW. Source: AAP

Firefighters and residents in fire-affected communities will be able to access more free psychological counselling as part of a new $76 million mental health package.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday said the package would ensure communities could address the traumatic emotional toll the "unprecedented" bushfires have had on people.

"We need to ensure the trauma and mental health needs of our people are supported in a way like we never have before," he said in a statement.

Cabargo resident Alfredo la Caprara (R) started the Cobargo Community Relief Centre following the New Year's Eve bushfires. Source: AAP

Free counselling sessions will be available through recovery centres and Service Australia sites to address short-term trauma.

Youth-focused Headspace will get $7.4m to boost services in 12 fire-ravaged regions and to speed-up the construction of its Batemans Bay centre.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel will be able to access more intensive support through better-funded specialist organisations.

Dave (pictured) and Cathy Strohfeldt lost their home in Cobargo to a bushfire and have been living in a room at the Cobargo Hotel in the interim. Source: AAP

Looking further ahead, almost $30m will go to boosting telehealth services and doubling the number of free psychological therapy sessions bushfire-affected people can access through Medicare. People trying to access those services will not require a mental health plan from a GP or a diagnosed illness.

Developing a mental health framework to allow federal and state governments to better respond to national disasters will cost $500,000.

Cobargo resident Nina Balas leads a horse to a makeshift yard at the Cobargo Community Relief Centre. Source: AAP

State governments have been providing disaster welfare services including counselling in evacuation centres throughout the crisis.

ABC photographer Matt Roberts reacts to seeing his sister's destroyed house in Quaama, NSW. Source: AAP

The Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine dubbed the bushfires "a national public health crisis" on Saturday, saying mental health was among the longer-term health risks to communities.

Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at Beyond Blue.org.au