The Minns Labor Government has launched a new mental health and wellbeing strategy for first responders which now recognises forestry workers, national park employees, and road and transport workers who put their lives on the line keeping communities safe.
This is in addition to emergency services personnel including Ambulance NSW, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, NSW State Emergency Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
First responders in NSW play an essential service protecting citizens and responding to a range of emergencies, from car crashes to bushfires and floods.
The new strategy sets out fifteen priority actions that agencies are implementing to improve the mental health and wellbeing of these workers and help them to better manage the psychological challenges associated with their vital work.
First responders will get the support they need regardless of the agency they belong. The strategy requires agencies to ensure mental health services are accessible, particularly for those in regional and remote areas, providing holistic and tailored support for first responders throughout their careers.
This Strategy takes a proactive approach, setting a new high baseline for mental health and wellbeing support across first responder organisations and providing training for managers to better recognise and support workers.
The Minns Labor Government is taking immediate action to support employees at key NSW agencies including Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), and Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW). The government has introduced the following measures:
- Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training: The agencies will be required to implement PFA training for all employees, including managers. This training aims to better support individuals impacted by emergencies, disasters, or traumatic events by connecting them to appropriate support services.
- Referral to Clinical Care: Employees impacted by traumatic incidents will receive referrals to timely and appropriate clinical care, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources to address their mental health needs.
- Peer-Support Services: The strategy includes the establishment of a peer-support service that is informed by evidence-based, trauma-informed training programs tailored to the specific needs of first responders. These services will incorporate the principles of PFA to provide ongoing support.
The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of first responders and recognises the unique challenges they face in their line of work.
The government's strategy is driving long-term improvement in the sector to ensure these workers have the assistance they need to perform their critical roles effectively and sustainably.
The First Responders Mental Health Strategy can be found on the NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for First Responders web page.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"We ask our first responders to run towards distressing scenes, so we need to support them with policies like this one.
"This is about giving more first responders more support.
"We are promoting mental wellbeing and preventing psychological injuries for these essential workers."
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
"I welcome this strategy that ensures road workers, national park employees and forestry workers all have access to the same psychological support offered to other first responders.
"Workplace mental ill health is estimated to cost Australian businesses up to $39 billion each year, due to lost participation and productivity.
"The NSW Government is committed to preventing psychological harm and promoting mental health as part of a mentally healthy workplace."
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"First responders are heroes in NSW communities, often putting themselves in harm's way to protect others.
"This strategy ensures the NSW Government is looking after the people who look after us, giving them the tools and support they need to stay mentally healthy.
"By addressing the unique challenges our first responders face, we're ensuring they have the mental health support they need to perform their roles safely and effectively."
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
"It's incredibly important that our frontline workers are given appropriate training and support for their mental health and wellbeing.
"Unfortunately, some of these essential jobs can expose workers to highly stressful or traumatic events, and we want to protect people from experiencing psychological harm at work.
"That's why this initiative is firmly based in evidence-based and trauma-informed measures and will ensure people can lean on their peers and managers to prevent injury."
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"Our first responder road and transport workers help ensure community members are kept safe each and every day.
"It's important we look after all workers who do so much to look after everyone on our road and transport networks. By developing the new mental health and wellbeing strategy, the government is ensuring worker safety is made an even higher priority."
AWU NSW Branch Secretary Tony Callinan said:
"First responders provide an essential service to the community, protecting citizens and responding to a range of emergency situations.
"I support this strategy which will improve the mental health outcomes for all participants."
Black Dog Institute Executive Director & Chief Scientist Samuel Harvey said:
"We welcome the release of this strategy and are pleased to see many of our recommendations reflected in its design and the priority actions- particularly the focus on tailored, evidence-based support, connecting first responders to clinical care and ensuring training for managers/ people leaders to support early interventions.
"We know that first responders are at increased risk of mental health problems and over recent years, research has also begun to show the type of workplace supports and clinical programs that can help improve the mental health of this key group of workers and volunteers.
"We look forward to the next stage of this work and assisting the Minns Government with implementing these actions to ensure first responders receive the highest standard of mental health support."
