Evacuation centre survivor after bushfire — CASC communication station

Station brief

Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes active time after reading. You are the psychiatry registrar attached to the evacuation centre mental health team. Privacy is limited; negotiate a quieter corner. [4]

Candidate instructions. Build rapport. Assess suicide risk. Map exposure and current practical needs. Normalise early distress without dismissing severe symptoms. Explain PFA-style support and that not everyone needs specialist trauma therapy immediately. Do not force a full graphic narrative. Do not offer mandatory group debriefing as prevention. Agree a collaborative safety and follow-up plan. [1][2][3]

Candidate scenario

Your patient is 42, evacuated last night from a high-impact bushfire zone. Lost home; partner safe; neighbour deceased. Reports little sleep, jumpiness at sirens, tearfulness, and saying "I keep seeing the sky turn black — maybe I should not be here." No prior psychiatric admissions. Taking no regular medication. Sobbing but oriented. No acute medical emergency. Interpreter not required. [4]

Marking domains

• Introduces self/role; protects privacy as far as possible in a shelter
• Explicit suicide risk assessment (ideation, intent, plan, means, protective factors)
• Trauma-informed pacing; offers control and breaks; no forced graphic dump
• Exposure and loss enquiry including practical needs (housing, clothing, information)
• Explains normal early distress vs when further help is needed; names support without promising CISD cure
• Collaborative plan: safety tonight, centre supports, primary care/crisis follow-up, pathway if symptoms persist (skills help → trauma-focused therapy; medication discussion only if appropriate)
• Empathy, time management, non-pathologising language [1][3][4]