Wellbeing hub nears completion
Fortem Australia is calling for greater investment in early intervention and preventative mental health support for first responders, as emergency services prepare for an extreme weather event on Australia’s east coast.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is due to make landfall this week, with torrential rain, damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding forecast to impact parts of south-east Queensland and northern NSW. It comes just weeks after extreme weather events impacted Townsville and part of Western Australia.
“Thousands of first responders will be out there in the coming days doing all they can to keep people safe and help those in need of emergency assistance,” the CEO of Fortem, Michael Willing APM, said.
“It’s an incredibly rewarding role, but it can be confronting, traumatic and dangerous. And many of those first responders will be out supporting their communities while their own families and properties are at risk.”
Mr Willing said 1 in 3 first responders experienced high rates of psychological distress from trauma experienced on the job. However, there was still some reluctance for many to put their hand up and ask for support.
“We know that early intervention and preventative mental health support can boost wellbeing and enhance resilience, better equipping our first responders to deal with regular exposure to stress and trauma,” Mr Willing said.
“That’s why Fortem is calling for a greater focus on and increased funding for independent early intervention and mental health support services for first responders and their families.
“There must also be greater collaboration between governments, first responder agencies and independent mental health service providers to ensure all first responders and their families are aware of and can access these services.”
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About Fortem Australia
Fortem is dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families. Through a range of programs and initiatives, Fortem Australia provides essential services that promote resilience, recovery, and overall wellbeing.