This presentation addresses a pressing concern: the alarming rates of suicide and psychological injury
among first responders, who are four times more likely to end their lives and ten times more prone to
developing conditions like complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and co-morbid Depression.
Despite the commendable efforts by first responder organisations in New South Wales to provide
support services, a critical gap remains, as these services are underutilised due to fear of career
repercussions and a persisting culture of stigma and harassment surrounding psychological injuries.
As a psychologist with a decade-long commitment to treating and supporting first responders, I present a
groundbreaking online training and education program rooted in neuroscience. This program offers
practical tools and strategies to mitigate the impact of unmanaged chronic stress, acknowledging the
cumulative effects of operational exposure, systemic pressures, and shift work that lead to severe and
debilitating injuries. The training aims to empower first responders at various stages: preventing injuries,
aiding those early in their recovery journey, and providing a valuable resource for ongoing support and
relapse prevention reducing the risk of suicide.
Drawing on insights from neuroscience research, the program seeks to fill a crucial gap in the support
system for first responders. By recognising the unique challenges faced by these individuals, we can
adapt policies and services similar to those for veterans ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental
health in the demanding context of frontline work. The online training program represents a proactive
step toward reducing suicide risk, fostering resilience, and promoting mental well-being among first
responders, ultimately safeguarding not only their lives but also the well-being of their families, friends,
and colleagues.
Synthesizing research findings revealed that fatigue among first responders is predominantly caused by
insufficient sleep during shifts and consistently poor sleep quality over the years. This fatigue
significantly impairs cognitive function, alertness, and both physical and mental health, leading to an
increase in safety-compromising behaviours and injuries. This presentation advocates for changes in the
hours and shifts assigned to first responders to alleviate the health costs associated with chronic fatigue,
absenteeism, and presentism, and reduce workplace injury and suicide risk. Moreover, the training and
education of first responders could be adjusted to adequately prepare them for the demands of their
roles. This needs to include more rigorous psycho-education on the neuroscience of stress and graded
exposure throughout training to reduce the occurrence of acute trauma responses to critical incidents
and the accumulation of trauma responses that lead to complex PTSD, depression and suicide risk.
Furthermore, a novel proposal is introduced for the establishment of localised independent treatment
and research centres. Attendance at these centres would be mandatory for all operational and
non-operational first responders, providing regular access to medical staff, psychologists, exercise
physiologists, and occupational therapists along with access to evidence-based programs. This proactive
approach aims to safeguard the well-being of this unique client group, reducing the occurrence of
psychological injury and the risk of suicide. The implementation of such centres represents a
comprehensive strategy to address the multifaceted challenges faced by first responders, fostering a
culture of resilience and promoting mental health throughout their careers and for those who are no
longer serving.