STORIES FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY
Fortem Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that supports the mental fitness and wellbeing of first responder families. Every day, more than 300,000 first responders keep our communities safe. They are backed up by their families: partners, children and parents. All of them hold vital and challenging roles. We help them to be well, and stay well, through mental fitness, support services and wellbeing activities. These are their stories.
First Responder Story: “Talking about it openly really helps us all”
For Melissa, an SES volunteer in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, being a first responder is all about a sense of community. “With the SES there’s always a sense of
Fun and fitness for first responder families in lockdown
Fortem offered a mix of virtual fitness classes throughout lockdown, and a real highlight has been our lunchtime dance fit classes. Giving first responders an opportunity to (box)step outside their
The activity that inspired mindful, emotionally aware creativity
Gold Coast first responder families came together in a school holiday activity filled with opportunities to learn, connect and be mindful. The art activity saw parents and kids create a
First responder family story: “To have Fortem there for us is massive”
“We became friends first, and one thing led to another … we were married in 2003,” Doug says. “We were married in 2005!” Bec laughs. Doug, a NSW Police Officer of 15
Fortem Co-Founder a finalist in the 2021 Australian Mental Health Prize
Fortem Co-Founder and Managing Director John Bale has been named a finalist in the prestigious Australian Mental Health Prize for 2021. The Prize, now in its sixth year and established by
NEW from Fortem: Pre-transition workshops offer the skills for job searching
Fortem Australia is running a three-part workshop series to assist transitioning first responders learn key job searching skills. The online workshops cover the skills that you will need to take
Two years of building the mental fitness of first responders and their families – but so much more to do.
World Mental Health Day this year marks two years of Fortem Australia, a charity that supports the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families – people who
Beyond Duty – why suicide prevention is a role for the whole first responder community.
There are some protections that can be put in place to help first responders who are at risk of mental health challenges. Protective factors are the things that reduce a person’s likelihood of suicidal
Beyond Duty – “We need to narrow the gap between home and work,” a first responder family story.
Kate Lord is a personal trainer and the wife of a first responder. Her partner, Grant Edwards, experienced PTSD and depression while serving as an Australian Federal Police Officer. Kate is
Engaging with ‘Black Summer’ TV series and documentary – decide what’s right for you.
Communities impacted by the Black Summer Bushfires are considering how to engage with a new TV drama series and feature documentary based on the experiences of those challenging months. ‘Fires’
Beyond Duty – the role of families in first responder suicide prevention.
First responders are more than twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts than the general population. This makes suicide a very real risk that the first responder community needs to openly discuss and act
Bega Valley first responders battle for trivia crown, the winner is…
On a cold Thursday evening, Bega Valley first responders were treated to a delicious menu of woodfired pizzas served with a side of friendly inter-agency rivalry. After weeks spent juggling rosters and
