Minns government launches new mental health initiative for NSW first responders

A new mental health strategy for first responders will now recognise forestry workers, national park employees, and road and transport workers who are often the first on-scene – and the last to leave – at car crashes, floods and fires.

A new mental health strategy for first responders will now recognise forestry workers, national park employees, and road and transport workers to help them cope with the traumatic incidents they face on the frontline in their day-to-day work.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Minns government’s new mental health supports will be extended to employees at key agencies including the Forestry Corporation of NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Transport for NSW, who are often the first people on-scene at car crashes, floods and fires before emergency services arrive – and are usually the last people to leave.

The strategy aims to ensure mental health services are made accessible for all first responders in addition to emergency services, particularly those in regional and remote areas.

Australian Workers Union (AWU) NSW branch secretary Tony Callinan welcomed the new plans, having a personal understanding of the challenges faced by some of the state’s most unsung heroes.

Mr Callinan lost his father in a car crash on the Pacific Highway where road workers were the first at the scene, “comforting my mum and cleaning up mess from the accident” before emergency services arrived.

The strategy recognises first responders beyond the emergency services who are often the first on-scene at tragic accidents. Picture: Photo Frank Redward

Australian Workers Union (AWU) NSW Branch Secretary Tony Callinan.

He said road and transport workers have often been overlooked despite helping victims and being tasked with clearing up accidents including the tragic Hunter Valley bus crash.

“Road workers aren’t often thought of as first responders so I welcome them getting the recognition they deserve, and the mental health support that comes with that recognition,” Mr Callinan said.

The strategy includes road and transport workers, forestry workers, and national park employees. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“They are right there within seconds or minutes of an accident, and they are trained to fix roads not to be paramedics, but they are first on the scene.

“People from forestry aren’t widely recognised as firefighters, but the work they perform during bushfires is critical to public safety as well.”

The new initiative, devised in association the Black Dog Institute, sets out fifteen priority actions for agencies to put in place to help their workers better manage the psychological challenges associated with their work.

Employees impacted by traumatic incidents will now be provided peer-support services, referred to clinical care, and receive Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training under the plans.

Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis said the strategy will create long-term improvements in the sector, with mental ill health estimated to “cost Australian businesses up to $39 billion each year due to lost participation and productivity”.

Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis said the strategy would create long-term improvements across the sector. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

NSW Premier Chris Minns supported the policy for the state’s first responders. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

“The NSW Government is committed to preventing psychological harm and promoting mental health as part of a mentally healthy workplace,” she said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed support for the strategy, saying “we ask our first responders to run towards distressing scenes, so we need to support them with policies like this one”.

While Black Dog Institute executive director and chief scientist Samuel Harvey said the efforts would go a long way for first responders who face mounting mental health issues throughout their careers.

“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 to support early interventions,” he said.

Originally published as Minns government launches new mental health initiative for NSW first responders