Psychological Support Services (PSS)
Free confidential psychological support for work, volunteer or personal related matters that is available to all DFES emergency services volunteers and their immediate family members. Each person is entitled to six (6) sessions per year (one year from their first session with the provider).
DFES currently offers three PSS providers:
PeopleSense
Phone: 9388 9000Free call: 1300 307 912
www.peoplesense.com.au
PeopleSense also provides a 24-hour crisis counselling service, using the same numbers listed above.
Converge International
Free call: 1300 687 327
www.convergeinternational.com.au
Martinovich Psychological Services (MPS)
Fremantle office: 9433 6559
Rockingham office: 9527 6599
Dunsborough office: 9750 5356
www.martinovichpsychologicalservices.com
To access these services and for more information please visit the dedicated pages on the Volunteer Hub.
Critical Incident Response
DFES volunteers may be exposed to critical incidents (Potentially Traumatic Event Exposure PTEE) during the course of their duties. Critical Incident Response aims to enhance the resilience of personnel, and reduce risk of psychological injury or trauma.
A tailored approach from the Wellness Branch can include:
- Initial contact with Station Officer (2-3 days’ post-incident.)
- The option to have follow-up phone calls to individuals (2-4 weeks post-
Critical Incident Response is available during business hours with response timeframes commencing 2-3 days post-incident. Please contact the Wellness team for more information or please visit the dedicated pages on the Volunteer Hub.
Other Recourses
Headspace Mindfulness App
DFES offers free annual subscriptions to all emergency services volunteers worth $92. Headspace is a mindfulness app for everyday life, designed to help you stress less, move more, and sleep soundly. The Partner Family Plan also enables DFES subscribers to invite up to five family members or friends to claim their own Headspace plan for free. To learn more, follow the link below www.headspace.com/family/manage
To get started, click on this link. Headspace for Work or visit the dedicated pages on the Volunteer Hub.
Mindarma
Mindarma is an evidence-based online resilience training program offered to DFES volunteers. The program promotes healthy coping strategies, encourages help-seeking behaviours and allows users to create a personal plan of action for those tough days. Mindarma is a self-paced learning program that features ten short interactive sessions (15 minutes each).
If you haven’t already signed up to Mindarma, our Resilience building program please click here https://www.mindarma.com/courses/DFES/register/
Training
DFES is committed into ensuring its people receive relevant training in a range of mental health topics. Current training available for DFES Personnel:
Mental health first aid (MHFA)
MHFA teaches participants how to provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
R U OK?
Complete the R U OK? online training module on eAcademy to increase your skills, knowledge and confidence in having the R U OK conversation – Search “R U OK” on eAcademy to complete the short 10-minute course.
Healthy Mindsets
Available in person or online, a range of interactive psychoeducation sessions are available to all DFES employees and volunteers upon request.
For more information please visit the dedicated pages on the Volunteer Hub.
Contacts
Contact the Wellness team to gain support, guidance and advice on a variety of mental and physical health, wellbeing and Chaplaincy matters.
Contact the Mental Health and Wellbeing team for more information about Thriving at DFES, the 2024-2028 Mental Health Safety and Wellbeing Strategy and action plan, and relevant programs, activities and events.
Contact the Health and Safety Services team to discuss occupational health and safety matters.
Contact the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management team for guidance and advice on a variety of work and non-work related injuries, illnesses and conditions.
