There is an urgent need for more proactive mental health resources for first responders and emergency services in the region, the Riverina’s emergency services personnel and associations have said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
John Larter, who has been a paramedic for more than two decades, said that while traumatic incidents were accepted as part of the role, more needed to be done to prevent the need for services to prevent mental health problems following attendances at those incidents.
“That’s never changed and the reality is that when you join the ambulance as a paramedic, you should come with eyes wide open,” he said.
“But I think if we’re in a better workplace environment, we wouldn’t need those services as much,” Mr Later said.
”Rather than band aids, we need to fix things at the top to provide the best environments for those at the frontline.”
Related coverage
The calls come on Tuesday, the same day Sydney hosted a public hearing as part of an Australian parliamentary inquiry into addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency services and volunteers.
Mr Larter cited lack of management support and communications, as well as long working hours as main issues within NSW Ambulance that contribute to mental health issues.
“When you’ve got a management culture that doesn’t communicate well with its staff and where you’re running around with inadequate equipment, it just doesn’t stack up,” Mr Larter said.
“The ridiculous hours that some of us work contribute to mental fatigue, as well as physical.
However, he praised NSWA for the avenues in which employees may access mental health services following traumatic incidents.
“I do credit NSW Ambulance for the counselling services,” he said.
“If you attend something horrific in nature, someone is always there to ask how you are going,” Mr Larter said.
“For me, that starts with my peers – in my 22 years of experience, it’s always been a workplace where your immediate coworkers look after you.
“I don’t think that’s changed.”
Mr Larter said his process in dealing with traumatic incidents was to always focus on the knowledge that he was supporting others.
“None of it is easy – I can still recall jobs I attended 10 years that continue to have significant effects,” he said.
“But the solace you take out of those jobs is that you’re helping someone.”
The Australian Paramedics Association of NSW, which submitted a 13-page document to the inquiry’s committee, attended the public hearing in Sydney.
“The increased mental stress that paramedics employed by NSWA face is primarily caused by excessive work pressures, conflict between individuals, significant work load and a lack of clear direction or support from NSWA managers about these issues,” it reads.
APANSW president Chris Kastelan criticised NSWA for having no representations at the hearing.
“The senate committee found this aspect quite concerning and mentioned it a number of times,” he said.
“There was also concerns about the snail like progress of NSWA.”
Mr Kastelan cited a APANSW survey done in 2017: “Many paramedics noted that they did not have any faith in the system and, as such, most paramedics did not report incidents anymore, which meant that a vast amount of were not reported”.
Other attendees at the public hearing included Fire and Rescue NSW and professor Samuel Harvey, chief psychiatrist at the Black Dog Institute.
Mr Harvey said that while Australia now leads the world in developing evidence-based solutions to how first responders can be better protected against mental illness, much more needed to be done.
"There is still a very limited understanding of how mental health symptoms and the associated neuro-biological changes evolve over time amongst first responders,” he said.
Well-being is paramount: Minister for Police
Meanwhile, State Minister for Police Troy Grant said the health and well-being of “our police officers is of paramount importance”.
“Which is why we are investing more than $17 million over four years to expand health and well-being support and services for our police,” Mr Grant said.
“Of this funding, more than $15 million has been allocated to the Workforce Improvement Program to prevent injury, promote well-being and support injured police officers.
“The objective of this program is to help serving officers address both psychological and physiological injuries and support their return to work.”
The State Government has also invested $2 million to help establish the new Back Up For Life program, which provides much needed support to former NSW police officers and their families who may have experienced mental health issues as a result of their service.
“As a former police officer, I understand better than most that our police are often the first on the scene at unimaginable incidents and bear witness to the very worst in humanity, so I am proud to have been named as an Ambassador of the Back Up For Life mentoring program," Mr Grant said.
The inquiry began in March and a report is due in December this year.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you may contact one of the services below:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- BeyondBlue: 1300 22 46 36
- MensLine: 1300 789 978
NSW Ambulance have been reached for comments for a follow-up article.
- More about the inquiry: Parliament of Australia.
Read more
While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each day at 6am from The Daily Advertiser? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Wagga news, sign up here.