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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.
Gamilaraay woman and Senior Constable with the Queensland Police – Carleen Armour
In the run up to NAIDOC Week 2021, Fortem Australia spoke with Carleen Armour about her experiences as a Gamilaraay woman and Senior Constable with the Queensland Police Service. Tell us a bit about your background Carleen. I grew up in Liverpool in Sydney, my mother was
Fortem Talks – living and working in these challenging times.
We live in extraordinary times and together we face those challenges – bushfires, COVID-19, floods, storms and sometimes back again. Not to mention the day-to-day individual stresses and emergencies that
Coffee vans drive a better future for ACT teens
Canberra’s ‘Cruisin Cafes’ are changing lives and building brighter futures. “These kids have been through some damn tough times – more than what most people could imagine,” says Cheryl O’Donnell,
Virtual event gives Victorian first responders a much-needed break
The recent lockdown has been a tough time for all Victorians, but the state’s first responders and their families have shouldered an extra load. Keeping the broader community safe in
Sydney sea cruise – making new mates and having a whale of time
First responder families taking part in a recent whale watching cruise went out to sea hoping for an interaction with the massive mammals; to their surprise they ended up enjoying
AFP College Trivia Night – a winner!
A simple box of chocolates offered as a prize for the winning team ensured that competition was fierce (but friendly) between the teams of new recruits at the Australian Federal
Wee Jasper weekend away makes friendships – and cheese!
Fortem’s Mark Kennedy caught up with Gen Lindsay, one of the organisation’s amazing Community Engagement Coordinators, to chat about her recent couples cooking retreat in the relaxing and scenic Wee Jasper Valley Hi Gen, tell me a little bit about
Let’s make Thank a First Responder Day everyday – thank you for your support!
Two simple words have had a real and powerful impact this week as Australian’s everywhere embraced Thank a First Responder Day. From mining communities in remote Western Australia to Admiralty House on the shores
Thank a First Responder Day is tomorrow – June 9
Tomorrow (9 June) is Thank a First Responder Day – and Australians everywhere are stepping up to express gratitude to those who care for us, protect us, and respond to our calls for help.
Resources to help first responders and the wider community deal with COVID-19 and storm pressures
We live in extraordinary times and together we face those challenges. The Victorian community is feeling that weight at the moment. In the last 12 to 18 months that feeling of
Our gratitude can increase a first responder’s connection and support
Gratitude is good for us – but did you know it can also make us feel more connected to those around us? Whether we’re showing our gratitude to someone, or
Epic cycling journey concludes in Centennial Park, after raising money & awareness for mental health support
**Trigger warning: This story contains content about suicide, which some readers may find confronting** Last weekend, fire fighter and Fortem Australia ambassador Tara Lal, along with her friend Sarah Davis,
