Draga’s disaster response story

A 30-year APS member tells her story of becoming involved in the Disaster Response Network and the impact this valuable work has had on her career. 

When Draga Jevtic MAPS began her psychology career more than 30 years ago, she couldn’t have imagined the breadth of experiences it would bring, from working at the Royal Children’s Hospital to supporting first responders after major public emergencies. 

Jevtic’s pathway into psychology was a fortunate twist of fate. Originally intending to pursue architecture, a change in high school subjects led her to psychology.  

“I realised then how passionate I am about people and what helps them become the best version of themselves,” she says. 

After completing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology she decided to focus on trauma support during her early career at the Royal Children’s Hospital. 

"I had thought this would be my dream job, but after a while, I thought to myself, 'I can't do this kind of clinical work for the rest of my life.'" 

So she pivoted into a different aspect of psychology, and her curiosity about creating macro change led her to organisational psychology. 

“It’s about helping people, teams and organisations thrive. If individuals are healthy, communities benefit too. It’s a win-win,” she says. 

A natural fit with the Disaster Response Network 

While organisational psychology proved to be her sweet spot, she still felt pulled towards the type of psychology work that existed in high-stakes, emotionally charged micro-environments.  

Following the 2002 Bali bombings, Jevtic’s disaster response mode was activated. 

"There were concerns about retaliations happening in Australia. All the hospitals were preparing for something to happen here. I was involved in the hospital disaster response planning, which lit a bit of a spark for me to integrate my micro and macro-practices." 

A decade later, when APS’s Disaster Response Network (DRN) was formed after the Black Saturday bushfires, joining the network felt like a natural extension of her skills.  

“It brought together my clinical trauma experience with my organisational psychology background – the two married together beautifully,” she says. 

Since then, Jevtic has supported responses to several critical incidents across Australia, including the Bourke Street tragedy in 2017 in Melbourne, the 2016 Dreamworld incident in the Gold Coast and, most recently, the NSW mid-coast floods. 

“I was part of the Red Cross team on the ground in Bourke Street in the immediate aftermath, providing psychological first aid to members of the public." 

She helped normalise people’s emotional responses, supporting them to process distress and provided guidance on coping strategies.  

“Some people were distressed, some were angry, some were simply in shock. It was about meeting them where they were and helping them feel supported.” 

Jevtic also served as an escalation point for Red Cross volunteers.  

“If a volunteer encountered someone in great distress, they’d bring them over to me for additional support,” she explains.  

In addition, she prioritised the wellbeing of the volunteers themselves, checking in on their emotional state and ensuring they had practical plans for self-care after their shifts. 

She also conducted workplace-based support through EAP channels, visiting businesses in and around the Bourke Street area. 

“Many workers had witnessed the event through their office windows or experienced lockdowns. We provided immediate support, psychoeducation and strategies to manage any ongoing stress." 

A proactive response 

Following the Dreamworld tragedy and the NSW mid-coast floods, the APS Disaster Response Network played a more structured and proactive role. 

Jevtic was part of a coordinated team of psychologists who reached out directly to affected individuals, offering support through targeted wellbeing check-ins.  

“We weren’t just waiting for people to come to us. We made the calls to actively contact those who had been impacted and/or those activated to assist community members," she says. 

These phone calls were more than simple welfare checks. Jevtic used them as opportunities to explore signs of strain and equip individuals with tools to better understand and manage their responses.  

“We’d ask about their sleep patterns, appetite, alcohol use, energy levels and their motivation – all important indicators of how someone is really coping,” she says.  

For Jevtic, these conversations created space to educate people about the natural trajectory of trauma responses – what to expect, how to support themselves and when to seek further help. 

Many of those contacted may have never spoken to a psychologist before, so it was important to normalise their experience, validate their reactions and demystify the idea of seeking professional support. 

Where appropriate, Jevtic reminded individuals of available services, including their organisation’s Employee Assistance Program, or suggested they speak with their GP for further support.  

“Sometimes just knowing there’s a plan, a next step if things get worse – that’s enough to shift someone from feeling helpless to feeling hopeful,” she adds. 

Through her work on the Dreamworld response, Jevtic witnessed the value of structured outreach – not just as a form of psychological triage, but as a way to restore agency to those shaken by crisis.  

Early intervention is key 

One key focus of Jevtic’s work is helping people make sense of their experiences in the aftermath of a traumatic event.  

“Disasters can be a traumatic experience, but most are also a situational experience. The majority of people will recover with the right support. It’s about instilling hope and reminding people of their existing resilience,” she says. 

Equally important is early intervention.  

“For the small percentage who may go on to develop PTSD or require extra help, early connection to resources makes a big difference.” 

With frontline workers, Jevtic also emphasises the importance of acknowledging their humanity. 

“First responders are often highly empathetic. They naturally put themselves in others’ shoes. They might also avoid burdening family and friends with what they’ve experienced,” she says.  

“We help them reframe the conversation to say: if you’re not well, you can’t look after others. Your own wellbeing is foundational.” 

Looking after yourself 

While Jevtic is helping the helpers, she's also aware of keeping a pulse on her own wellbeing. Maintaining her own resilience is about holistic wellbeing.  

“I exercise daily, stay connected with family and friends, eat well, practise mindfulness – even something simple like taking a mindful shower or mindful walk can be grounding,” she says. 

Professional supervision also plays an important role.  

“It’s in-built for us as psychologists, and I’d encourage anyone – first responders included – to use the support available to them. Sometimes just a check-in every couple of months can make a real difference.” 

Ultimately, Jevtic views her work with the DRN as deeply rewarding.  

“Helping people through challenging times, seeing them recover and knowing you’ve made even a small positive impact is incredibly meaningful.” 

She encourages psychologists to consider volunteering with the DRN.  

“As psychologists, we have the training to contribute safely and professionally. Plus, APS provides additional training, which you can apply beyond DRN work too. 

“Research shows volunteering fosters purpose, social connection and improves mental health. You’re giving back and enhancing your own skills.”