Mental health conditions of our first responders is on the Federal Government’s agenda. Earlier this year, the Australian Senate referred an inquiry into the role of Commonwealth, state and territory Governments in addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers, to the Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by 5 December 2018.
This important inquiry is designed to investigate the impact of mental health conditions in the workplace, the incidence of workers’ compensation, mental health support services and the resourcing of those services.
In light of this inquiry, watch this ABC 7.30 investigation into the mental health of our first responders by Senior Reporter Peter McCutcheon.
See Daryl’s interview about the trauma he experienced, the help he received, comments and attitudes prevalent about PTSD at the time he was injured, how he works to stay mentally healthy and his hopes for the Senate inquiry.
Listen to Psychiatrist, Associate Professor, Samuel Harvey provide his expert opinion on managers supporting first responders suffering mental health conditions as a result of their work.
And watch New South Wales Firefighter Peter Kirwan talk about Australian male culture generally and firefighter culture specifically, and the mental health effects he suffered from continual exposure to traumatic scenes. Peter bravely speaks about overcoming the barrier of seeking help to help him recover and his work with the Black Dog Institute.
