Supporting friends and family in the emergency services can be personally taxing. This page is for family and friends of emergency services personnel, to help you find out what services and support are available to you and your loved one.
What to look out for
Some jobs are tougher than others so make sure you pay attention to your loved one’s behaviour. After a traumatic situation it’s completely normal if they show signs of stress, anxiety or depression, but if these signs are still present after four weeks, they may need extra help.
- Changes in sleeping and/or eating patterns.
- Seeming tired and irritable.
- Constant worrying.
- Muscle tension or restlessness.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy.
- Feelings of anger, sadness or frustration.
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt.
How can you help
Everyone reacts to situations differently, so be flexible with the support you provide. If you notice your loved one struggling, ask them how they want to be helped. They may want to chat about it, or they may prefer some time to themselves.
Remind yourself that you don’t have to ‘fix the problem’, there are psychologists and medical professionals for that. But be there for them, let them open up, listen to them, and acknowledge their feelings.
Learn to identify the signs and symptoms that your loved one may be struggling or need help (some are listed above).
- Establish routines, which can help manage stress by making the day predictable.
- Have fun and spend time doing things you enjoy together, and with other friends and family.
- Prioritise health with a balanced diet, regular exercise, hydration and adequate sleep.
- Manage fatigue by scheduling time to relax (e.g. meditation or yoga).
- Allocate time to calmly and openly share thoughts and feelings.
- Be okay with sitting with the problem without solutions. When the timing is right, help your loved one explore solutions at their own pace.
- Focus your energy on what is within your control, rather then what is outside of your control.
How to start a conversation
Starting a conversation and asking “R U OK?” isn’t always easy, even with those we care about the most.
As part of the Are They Triple OK? campaign, R U OK? has developed a free 10-minute online interactive course for family and friends of emergency services personnel. Learn how to ask “R U OK?” of anyone in your world who you might be worried about, and feel confident in how to respond appropriately and safely if the answer is, “No, I’m not OK.”
Support for your loved one
Emergency service work can be very rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally challenging. That’s why it’s important that our employees and volunteers reach out to their family for much needed support.
There are also a range of formal supports available to all DFES staff and emergency services volunteers that can help and assist your loved one if they are struggling. Make sure you encourage them to access these tools and contacts we’ve provided here:
Your loved one can speak to their GP about any physical or mental health issues. It is recommended that they see the same GP, rather than seeing a different GP each time. This will help with trust, rapport, continuity of care and a holistic wellbeing approach.
The GP can also help with a Mental Health Care Plan and referral to private professional support, if that is what your loved one would like to do. There may be a gap fee with this option.
Your loved one can speak with their manager or supervisor, if they feel comfortable. They have the training to provide support and the resources to connect your loved one with other support systems.
The DFES Wellness Team provides holistic support and information to help promote positive wellbeing and resiliency. You can contact us to find out information on appropriate support services. Contact the team at wellness@dfes.wa.gov.au.
The DFES Peer Support Programs consists of trained employees and volunteers who can provide initial support and information on health and wellbeing services. Peer Support Officers can be contacted directly via the staff intranet and volunteer hub.
This service is available to all DFES employees, volunteers and their immediate family. You can access this service for work, volunteer or personal related matters. Face-to face, telephone or video call options are available. Each person is entitled to six (6) sessions per year (one year from their first session with the provider). All you need to do is directly contact any of the DFES providers outlined below.
This service is free and confidential.
PeopleSense: Access general, state wide counselling services from Monday to Thursday between 9am and 7pm (last appointment is at 6pm) and Friday between 9am and 5pm (last appointment is at 4pm). PeopleSense also provides a 24/7 support line for non-emergency mental health support. Call 9388 9000 or Free call 1300 307 912.
HealthBright (Telehealth only): Appointments are offered across a range of flexible times including before, during and after business hours, as well as on weekends to suit varying schedules. The phone line is available during AEST business hours, call (02) 7227 5416 (press option 1, then 1 again). Online bookings (available 24/7).
Martinovich Psychological Services (MPS): Access general counselling services from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm (last appointment at 5pm) or Saturdays by prior arrangement. Contact the office closest to you: Fremantle (9433 6559), Rockingham (9527 6599) or Dunsborough (9750 5356).
24/7 Support Line: This service provides non-emergency mental health support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services on 000.
You can contact the 24/7 Mental Health Support Line via Acacia Connections on 1300 364 273 or PeopleSense on 1300 307 912.
To ensure the Psychological Support Service is providing you with quality support it is important that we receive feedback. Collectively, this feedback will help us continually improve this service so that it best supports you in times of need.
There are two ways you can provide feedback:
1. Directly through the provider – each provider offers a feedback survey.
2. DFES Psychological Support Service Feedback Survey.
Please note both feedback surveys are:
– Voluntary.
– Confidential.
You can access the DFES Psychological Support Service Feedback Survey here.
The Black Dog Institute’s Bush Fire Support Service is free for all emergency services staff and volunteers and their loved ones, offering:
- Quick and easy mental health assessment with free evidence-based support options based on your results
- Access to up to 12 sessions with BDI mental health specialist via telehealth or face-to-face. No referral, Medicare or GP information is required (18+)
- Free evidence-based mental health resources, tools, information and advice for emergency service workers and their loved ones.
Crisis Care – 9233 1111
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyondblue – 1300 224 636
Road Trauma Support WA – 1300 004 814
Family Helpline – 9223 1100
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Mensline Australia 1300 789 978
Mental Health Emergencies – 1300 555 788
The Samaritans – 1800 198 313
Family Drug Support – 1300 368 186
Healthdirect – 1800 022 222
Poisons Information – 13 11 26
Emergency Services Volunteers’ Hardship Assistance Scheme
Support for Children and young people
Children and young people of emergency services personnel can also feel impacted for a range of reasons. If you’d like to support your child or young person to access some support, consider some of these options.
Remember to always discuss any concerns with your child or young person first and empower them to be part of the help-seeking process.
You can go with your child or young person to speak with their GP about any physical or mental health issues. It is recommended that you see the same GP, rather than seeing a different GP each time. This will help with trust, rapport, continuity of care and a holistic wellbeing approach.
Make sure you respect your child or young person’s confidentiality – if they’re old enough, ask them if they’d like to go in by themselves, or have you or someone else there for support.
The GP can also help with a Mental Health Care Plan and referral to private professional support, if this is something you want to support your child or young person to access. There are a range of child and youth-friendly professionals, with approaches such as talking therapy and play therapy, as well as others. There may be a gap fee with this option.
This service is available to all DFES employees, volunteers and their immediate family. You can access this service for work, volunteer or personal related matters. Face-to face, telephone or video call options are available. Each person is entitled to six (6) sessions per year (one year from their first session with the provider). All you need to do is directly contact any of the DFES providers outlined below.
“This service is free and confidential.”
PeopleSense: Access general, state wide counselling services from Monday to Thursday between 9am and 7pm (last appointment is at 6pm) and Friday between 9am and 5pm (last appointment is at 4pm). PeopleSense also provides a 24/7 support line for non-emergency mental health support. Call 9388 9000 or Free call 1300 307 912.
HealthBright (Telehealth only): Appointments are offered across a range of flexible times including before, during and after business hours, as well as on weekends to suit varying schedules. The phone line is available during AEST business hours, call (02) 7227 5416 (press option 1, then 1 again). Online bookings (available 24/7).
Martinovich Psychological Services (MPS): Access general counselling services from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm (last appointment at 5pm) or Saturdays by prior arrangement. Contact the office closest to you: Fremantle (9433 6559), Rockingham (9527 6599) or Dunsborough (9750 5356).
24/7 Support Line: This service provides non-emergency mental health support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services on 000.
You can contact the 24/7 Mental Health Support Line via Acacia Connections on 1300 364 273 or PeopleSense on 1300 307 912.
To ensure the Psychological Support Service is providing you with quality support it is important that we receive feedback. Collectively, this feedback will help us continually improve this service so that it best supports you in times of need.
There are two ways you can provide feedback:
1. Directly through the provider – each provider offers a feedback survey.
2. DFES Psychological Support Service Feedback Survey.
Please note both feedback surveys are:
– Voluntary.
– Confidential.
You can access the DFES Psychological Support Service Feedback Survey here.
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing mental health services to young people aged 12 to 25. Headspace is a free youth-friendly service accessible by in-person appointments, telehealth or online chat, with locations across state.
Sometimes school is the best place to ask for help. Your child or young person’s school will have a range of supports available to support them, which may include school psychologist, chaplain and year coordinator. Encourage them to seek help, or make contact with their teacher, year coordinator or student services team.
You can find additional information on how to support your children and young people at Kids Helpline. This page provides tailored information on how to support children and young people at different age ranges (5 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18 to 25).
Children and young people can also call the Kids Helpline for anytimeand any reason.
Not sure how to support your child or young person? Ngala specialises in family and parent support, offering resources for a wide range of issues children and young people may experience.
Ngala also provides a free Parenting Line for parents of children and young people aged 0 to 18, to support you with strategies on how to help you and your family thrive.