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.
Gold Coast stunt day, adds daredevil thrills to mental fitness.
On a cloudy Gold Coast day (yes they happen!) first responder families were itching to get out of the house and connect, grateful not to be in lockdown like those in other states. The group headed off to Stunt Park
Beyond Duty – support can help you grow through trauma, post-traumatic growth is possible.
First responders are heavily impacted by trauma: one in three first responders experience high psychological distress from trauma experienced on the job, and vicarious trauma affects their families. While trauma is an experience that none
Beyond Duty – looking after the “four walls of your house.”
Dr Kristen Hamling is a trauma psychologist with Wellbeing Aotearoa in New Zealand. Dr Hamling spoke at Fortem’s summit – Beyond Duty – what is the bigger picture in first responder wellbeing? about how we can work together to
West Gippsland group connected by cuppas and craft, back face to face.
“Woo Hoo! We are back to having face to face wellbeing activities,” Fortem’s Julie Bellingham says. Julie is our Community Engagement Officer, based in Warragul, Victoria. She is a champion
Fortem Talks – “There was no transition program…it was a jarring experience.”
Our new Transition & Employment Program supports national security and law enforcement personnel looking for new life and career opportunities following service with state and commonwealth emergency and security agencies. The end
Keepsake book marks ACT Black Summer Bushfire effort
‘Ablaze – the long, hot summer of 2019 -2020’ is a stunning and powerful, 400+ page, hard cover, photo-journal that captures the experiences of Canberra’s volunteer firefighters during the extended
Beyond Duty – “I live with a diagnosis of PTSD, and I want you to know that it’s okay to seek support.”
***Trigger warning – this article and video discuss first responder PTSD*** “I live with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” James Maskey, told the recent Fortem mental health summit, Beyond Duty –
Beyond Duty – New research highlights the needs of first responder families & calls for action.
Mental health research is looking closely at first responders, and one team is working on a topic that is close to us here at Fortem: the families of first responders. In a new study from
Fortem Talks -“Move to move your mood.”
Exercise is often one of the first things in our daily routines that gets skipped for other priorities, when we are too busy, tired, stressed, overwhelmed or not feeling well
Virtual activities offering real connection through lockdown
With multiple communities in lockdown across the country, connection can be a real challenge – but it’s not ‘virtually’ impossible. At Fortem, we continue our work to ensure that first
Beyond Duty – Stressed or at risk of burnout? Here are 3 things that can help first responders.
The dedication that first responders have towards their role is admirable, however this can come at a personal cost. One of these costs is carrying the weight of ongoing stress.
Mental fitness with no strings attached
“People are always looking for the catch, and are perhaps a little stand-offish, about getting involved in something new,” says Greg White, a paramedic based in the Northern Rivers of
