Disaster and Emergency Management Conference 

The importance of early intervention in Australia’s disaster resilience was the theme of a poster presentation by Fortem Australia at this year’s Disaster and Emergency Management Conference. 

The conference was held on the Gold Coast on 14-15 July, and Fortem’s CEO Michael Willing APM presented the poster on the need for early intervention and preventative mental health practices in supporting first responders and their families. 

The power of social connection in wellbeing, particularly in regional and remote areas, was a key theme, with targeted activities helping to reduce the stigma of mental health issues, increase opportunities to understand and access services available, and offer opportunities for first responders to recognise and respond to early warning signs of mental ill health. Social connection can also be pivotal in preventing suicide and bolstering levels of resilience. 

Early intervention and preventative mental health practices delivered by independent organisations provide low-threat support systems that encourage our first responders to seek assistance before it’s too late, while also supporting the family unit. This helps to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of our first responders, therefore strengthening the resilience and capability of those agencies to better respond to natural disasters.  

You can view the poster below.