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.

Family Story: ‘I rarely get a good night’s sleep, because I’m waiting for him to get home safely’

Sleeping has become a real challenge for me. I don’t get into a deep sleep because I’m waiting for my husband – who’s a police officer – to come home.

Connecting over a new creative skill: acrylic paint pouring

Ssshh! Don’t tell the grandparents, but they’re getting a beautiful artwork for Christmas from these Gold Coast first responder families. With two opportunities to make the perfect piece through the

First responder families’ creative juices flow in resin jewellery workshop

The evening started with everyone arriving to the studio, in a gorgeous little coastal town in the Illawarra. Armed with an apron and safety glasses, each participant sat around the table

I work with first responders and I want them to know this: It’s time to start the conversation

When someone has PTSD, most people assume that one traumatic event caused it. Even the very definition and diagnostic criteria for the disorder would indicate that this is the case.

Jiu Jitsu: the perfect way for families to connect

The temperatures were soaring as first responder families arrived at the martial arts centre for their first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu lesson. With plans to continue the family-time theme for the

First responders take to mindfulness in specialised yoga class

Fortem was pleased to offer a session of yoga designed specifically for first responders, in partnership with Frontline Yoga. The session, held online so that our first responder participants could

Smiles all ’round at the wildlife park

First responders enjoyed a recent day out with family and friends, meeting new people and taking in the sights of some furry critters. It was a great way to enjoy

First Responder Story: ‘Volunteering is a big part of our identity, but we’re disconnected this year’

WARNING: This article contains confronting content Volunteering is a big part of our identity. Because of coronavirus, we haven’t had face-to-face training since March, and we don’t know when it’ll

Kidding around at the goat farm

Have you ever fed a baby goat? If you never have, you should – it’s fun, and fun is good (to paraphrase Dr Seuss). The bottle-feeding was one of the

"Just finished the Spanish Cooking Class. Thank you so much for the opportunity. It was fantastic!" Louise

“This isn't an activity that I would have usually chosen for myself but by attending with my family and having a go it not only got me out of the house, got me active, but it allowed me to try something very much out of comfort zone and help build confidence and skills."

"Thank you so much for the kayak activity yesterday.... the two staff members were so welcoming, warm and engaging. They participated and added to the thoroughly enjoyable activity. Can we have this kayak event again!"

“The program was very well organised…and was very fun. I have recommended Fortem to several other Police Officers!”