By Lucy Waldron
The Southern Downs, a region accustomed to the harsh blows of nature’s fury, has seen its fair share of disasters ranging from floods to fires. While the impacts of these events are widely acknowledged, the toll on the mental health of those involved in recovery and safety efforts is often overlooked.
Recognising the need for specialised mental health support, the Black Dog Institute introduced the National Emergency Worker Support Service (NEWSS). This initiative aims to address the psychological challenges faced by emergency service workers who routinely put themselves on the front lines, encountering distressing situations that can linger and lead to mental health issues.
Black Dog Institute executive director and chief scientist, Professor Samuel Harvey said the service originally focussed on providing PTSD support to those impacted by the black summer bushfires in 2019.
“We then saw a need to expand the service to support the ongoing mental health and wellbeing of all emergency service workers and volunteers – and not just when natural disasters strike,” Professor Harvey said.
Although the stigma around mental health is slowly lifting some may still be wary about the topic, therefore NEWSS is an independent and completely confidential service and the online resources can be accessed at any time.
The service includes an online mental health check, triaging to various evidence-based support and trauma-informed care. Emergency service workers can avail themselves of up to 12 free sessions with a psychologist, offered through Telehealth or in-person, without the need for a GP referral or applying through Medicare.
Professor Harvey assured that those seeking assistance through NEWSS would interact with experts who understand the specific traumas encountered in the line of duty.
“Out of those appointed through to the Black Dog Institute leading clinic for treating people with severe PTSD [after the black summer fires], 80 percent have made a full and lasting recovery,” he said.
These vital services are available to emergency service workers nationwide, encompassing both paid professionals and volunteers, active and retired, aged 18 and above.
The initiative extends its support to a range of emergency service groups, including police, fire services, ambulance, state emergency services, marine rescue, surf life-saving, licensed wildlife rescuers and carers, and state-based helicopter rescue teams.
For additional information and access to the services provided by the National Emergency Worker Support Service, visit www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/national-emergency-worker-support-service/
