Australia has never asked more of first responders. Frankly, they are exhausted. The severe start to this year’s bushfire season is compounded by enduring trauma from the Black Summer fires,
Michelle Edgar has served in the NSW Police Force for 27 years and is now Director of Career Management at Fortem Australia, working with a dedicated team who provide 1:1 career support to first responders.
As firefighters face extreme danger on the frontlines of devastating bushfires, Fortem Australia welcomes the commitment of the National Emergency Management Agency to implement the ‘Second National Action Plan.
We have provided vital evidence at a public hearing of the Senate Select Committee’s Inquiry into Australia’s Disaster Resilience in Townsville.
As we approach the 2023 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival, we spoke to Superintendent Neil Hayes, who will be running for first responder mental health and wellbeing.
In celebration of Father’s Day, we recently spoke with one of our participants, a former ADF, and transitioned WA Police Officer has written a chapter for “Working Dads and Balancing Acts: The Secret to Making it Work”.
“If you don’t know where to start, or struggle to see how your qualifications and time with the police mean anything in the civilian world, reach out to Fortem. The different advice, supports, and groups offered will change the way you think”
“By meeting other people at Fortem events, we can discuss issues with mental wellbeing and remove the stigma. That normalises the behavior and the person can consider it [transitioning] for themselves.”
Exposure to trauma, tragedy and the dark side of human nature can challenge what you believe about the word and yourself. Confronting a traumatic event and trying to make sense of it can therefore lead to powerful shifts in thinking.
“You are so much more than a first responder. There is a whole big world out there, look after yourself. Get a good resume together. Back yourself and apply for whatever jobs you like. We have so many skills, Fortem helped me see this.”
Traumatic loss refers to the sudden, unexpected, and often violent loss of life under traumatic circumstances that are experienced as tragic, horrifying, and senseless. This is commonly experienced by first responders.
First responders may experience moral injury, a psychological, social and spiritual wounding that can occur in high-stakes situations that deeply challenge the integrity of personal values, expectations, and social norms.
After a 32-year career working as a police officer in a wide variety of positions, Mike was looking for a role with new challenges, so he reached out to Fortem’s Career Management team.
Bill spent 27 years in the Police Force. He eventually left to pursue a career which aligned more with his lifestyle, allowing him to spend more time with family and experience different aspects of life.
First responders are often exposed to repeated and prolonged trauma which can lead to cumulative trauma. The effects of this can be so slow and subtle that they don’t immediately show up on your radar.
We were delighted to provide two presentations at the recent 2023 Disaster and Emergency Management Conference on the Gold Coast.
The second article in our clinical team’s trauma series is on vicarious trauma; the exposure to trauma experienced by others, which can lead to mental health outcomes like anxiety, depression and PTSD.
“Be proud of your service and know that now is the time for you. Its time for you to follow your heart and find what lights you up, but also what serves you, because you are important.”
“If you’re struggling at work, put your hand up. There’s no shame in it. Lean on your support network, I couldn’t have gotten where I am without the support of my family, friends and Fortem.”
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be hearing from the Fortem clinical team about the various types of trauma impact that first responders can experience. Trauma has traditionally been defined as a threat to physical safety.
Fortem Australia is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
Fortem Australia acknowledges First Nations peoples and communities as the Traditional Owners of the land. We acknowledge and pay our respects to Elders past and present, and emerging leaders.
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