STORIES
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.
Relationships have strengthened during  Covid. How can we keep them strong?
Many Australians say their relationships – both at home and at work – have become stronger during the pandemic. We’ve all faced stress, including added job pressure, concerns about staying well, unemployment, isolation from our wider social circles, educating kids
How to talk to kids about the news
As parents, we want to protect our kids from anything that might cause them worry. However, for kids living through a pandemic, or who have a first responder parent, this ideal isn’t always possible.  The next
Batemans Bay Family Weekend
Last weekend Fortem hosted seven emergency service families for a South Coast mini getaway – a perfect way to carve out some much-needed family time after the busy-ness of the
How peer support can help you through tough times
The last few months have been unprecedented and unusual, and even as some normality returns, it can still feel incredibly stressful. And when things feel difficult, it’s reassuring to know
Back to the table: the benefits of family mealtimes
There are so many benefits to sharing meals as a family. Research shows that having these family mealtimes more frequently is associated with improved mental health outcomes, helps to build
Donation for First Responder Mental Health
Earlier this year, prompted by the terrible bushfires that ravaged the areas surrounding Canberra, the Espresso Room stores around Canberra ran an appeal raising a staggering $16,000 to support the
6 ways exercise can help you cope with stress
Exercise helps with stress, as well as mental health challenges like depression, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. That’s because exercise releases a bunch of happy hormones, and decreases the
Identifiers of deterioration and detachment
Does your intimate partner or work mate not seem themselves? Do they seem out of whack? Here are some behaviours to observe that may indicate if your partner is struggling
Tips for prioritising mental health
When a difficult time hits, it becomes more important than ever to look after your mental health. Whether it’s a widespread crisis or a more localised situation that’s difficult or
