Why mental and emotional preparedness matters as Australia approaches another uncertain summer
Summer is approaching, and there's something I'm hearing more frequently in conversations with people across Australia. Concern about what the coming months might bring.
The predictions, weather commentary and discussion around a strengthening El Niño are adding to that uncertainty. Bushfires, floods, storms, cyclones and extreme heat are all part of the conversation.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology's November outlook, a strong El Niño is underway, with above average temperatures likely across much of Australia. Rainfall expectations vary considerably depending on where you live.
But a seasonal outlook isn't a prediction of exactly what will happen in any particular community. There is still plenty we don't know.
And it's that uncertainty that I want to talk about.
When the past shapes how we see the future
I've spent much of this year working alongside communities recovering from the devastating January bushfires in Victoria, as well as having conversations with people in other parts of Australia who have experienced floods, droughts and cyclones.
Some people are rebuilding homes, businesses and properties. Others are dealing with insurance, financial pressures, uncertainty and the exhaustion that comes with prolonged recovery.
Many are making progress. Some are still struggling to find their feet.
And now, with another summer approaching, there's an additional load to carry.
For someone who has experienced bushfire, the first really hot day or strong northerly wind can bring back memories. For someone who has lived through flooding, heavy rain can create anxiety long before there's an actual threat.
These responses aren't a sign of weakness. They're part of how our experiences can shape the way we respond to perceived danger.
Something I've come to understand through my own experiences and the work I do is that we don't all enter a difficult situation with the same capacity.
Some people have had time to recover, rebuild their confidence and strengthen their support networks. Others are still carrying the emotional, financial and physical impacts of what came before.
We need to recognise that difference.
We prepare our properties. But what about ourselves?
Across rural, regional and remote Australia, preparing for summer is nothing new.
We clean gutters, maintain firebreaks, check equipment, review emergency plans, prepare for the needs of livestock and think about what we'll do if conditions deteriorate.
All of those things are important and potentially lifesaving.
But how much attention do we give to preparing ourselves mentally and emotionally?
Do we understand how we respond under pressure? Are we already exhausted? Are there things happening in our lives that are draining our capacity to cope? Do our families know how to support one another if uncertainty turns into an emergency?
These are just as important to consider.
Research released by Australian Red Cross in September 2026 found that 77% of Australians believe psychological and emotional preparedness is just as important as physical preparedness.
Yet recognising its importance and taking steps to prepare are two different things.
Capacity Before Crisis: Preparing the person, not just the property
This is one of the reasons I've been developing my Capacity Before Crisis work.
For years we've talked about resilience, particularly following adversity. I've had my own complicated relationship with that word.
I believe we need to put greater emphasis on building our capacity before we're pushed to our limits, rather than simply expecting people to find the strength to bounce back afterwards.
And importantly, we can continue building capacity during and after a crisis, not just beforehand.
We can't control the weather or eliminate every risk. But we can better understand ourselves, identify where we might need support and take practical steps that may help us manage difficult situations.
One of the tools I've developed is called Capacity Reset.
It encourages us to ask five questions:
What am I grateful for or proud of?
What's currently draining my capacity?
What can I control or influence?
Who do I need to connect with?
What's one thing I can do this week?
These are simple questions, but they can help us recognise where we're at rather than waiting until things become overwhelming.
For someone worried about the coming summer, that might mean finally sitting down with their family to discuss an emergency plan. It might mean talking with a neighbour, identifying where to get reliable information, making an appointment for support or simply acknowledging that they're already feeling exhausted.
And it might mean recognising that we need to ask for help.
Connection is part of preparedness
One of the things I've witnessed repeatedly in disaster affected communities is the incredible value of connection.
Not just during the immediate response, but in the months and years that follow.
Knowing who you can turn to, who might need checking on and who you can have an honest conversation with can make an enormous difference.
This is also where my TING framework, Talk, Inquire, Notice and Guide, becomes useful.
We don't need to have all the answers or become someone's counsellor. But we can start a conversation, ask how they're really travelling, notice when something has changed and help connect them with appropriate support.
And sometimes we need to be willing to tell someone else that we're the one who isn't travelling so well.
Having a contact list on the fridge is one thing. Having relationships where people feel comfortable making that call is another.
Both matter.
We need preparedness without creating more fear
I think we also need to be mindful of how we talk about the summer ahead.
People need accurate information about the risks they face. They need to know where to find official forecasts, local warnings and practical preparedness advice.
But constant speculation about worst case scenarios can add to the emotional load, particularly for those who have already been through disaster.
There's a difference between being informed and becoming overwhelmed.
We can acknowledge uncertainty without predicting catastrophe. We can encourage people to prepare without making them feel helpless.
And we can remind people that it's okay to limit the amount of commentary they're consuming while still keeping up with reliable warnings and emergency information.
For communities still recovering, particularly those approaching the first anniversary of a significant disaster, I believe this is going to be especially important.
We will need more patience, more understanding and more kindness towards ourselves and each other.
Before summer, let's check more than our emergency plans
I don't know exactly what this summer will bring. None of us do.
My hope is that the season passes without the devastation so many communities have experienced in recent years.
But hope alone isn't preparation.
We need to make sure our properties and emergency arrangements are ready. We also need to make sure we're doing what we can to look after the people behind those plans.
That means recognising our own limitations, understanding what's draining our capacity, strengthening our support networks and being willing to have conversations before things become a crisis.
Capacity Before Crisis isn't about being fearless or expecting ourselves to cope with everything. It's about being better prepared, knowing when we need support and recognising that we don't have to face uncertainty alone.
So as we approach another Australian summer, check your plans, check your capacity and check on each other.
Because being prepared isn't just about protecting what we own.
It's also about looking after ourselves and the people around us.
I'd be interested to hear from you. How are you feeling about the summer ahead, and what are you doing to prepare mentally and emotionally?
For practical emergency planning, visit Australian Red Cross and follow your state or territory emergency services for local warnings and advice.