2021 Resilient Australia National Mental Health and Wellbeing Award Winner | Recovery Capitals

Congratulations to University of Melbourne, Massey University, Australian Red Cross and Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC - joint winners of the 2021 Resilient Australia National Mental Health and Wellbeing Award.

The Recovery Capitals (ReCap) project aimed to support mental health and wellbeing after disasters by providing evidence based resources for those engaged in recovery. Research from past disasters can guide good decision-making and recovery actions, but findings are often not readily accessible to people supporting recovery. The ReCap project produced accessible, engaging and evidence-based resources that offer guidance on how to apply key recovery principles in practice.

ReCap supported inclusive, holistic, strengths-based approaches to resilience and recovery. It took a broad view of the influences on mental health and wellbeing after disasters, emphasising the interconnectedness between natural, social, financial, cultural, political, built and human ‘capital’. It encourages cooperation between the many people, organisations and sectors with a role to play in supporting mental health and wellbeing in disaster contexts. The ReCap resources are being used to build capacity before and after disasters across Australia, making a significant contribution to disaster resilience.