Counselling services available following Wieambilla incident

The Queensland Government has set up a Community Recovery response to support Queenslanders who have been impacted by the Wieambilla incident.

Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch offered her deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Matthew Arnold, Constable Rachel McCrow and Alan Dare.

Many Queenslanders are struggling to come to terms with this terrible loss of life – including the Officers’ families, colleagues and friends, the Queensland Police Service and the communities of Wieambilla, Tara and Chinchilla.

Help is available for anyone who needs it.

Anyone who needs support can call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for information or referrals to a range of flexible support services, such as counselling.

From today (15 December), additional face-to-face counselling and support services will also be available at:

• Tara Neighbourhood Centre                                      

49 Day St, Tara                           

• Chinchilla Community Centre

67-71 Middle Street, Chinchilla.

Community Recovery staff will be on the ground at these centres, working with representatives from non-government organisations including the Red Cross, to assist anyone who needs counselling, mental health support or emergency relief.

For information and updates, including opening hours for the centres, visit www.qld.gov.au/DisasterHelp

Queenslanders living right across the state can also contact Lifeline for crisis support.

Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 13 11 14 or texting 0477 13 11 14. You can also reach out to Lifeline’s online support service via their website.

For a confidential online chat, visit www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat

ENDS

Media contact: Bill Walker 0437 859 987