Jacquie Petrusma,Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
The Department of Police Fire and Emergency Management's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been launched to guide the way we support the mental health and wellbeing of our emergency services workers, volunteers and their families.
We know that emergency services personnel are exposed to challenging incidents including being confronted by situations most of us are never likely to experience and this can impact their mental and physical health.
That's why it is so important that we support those who keep Tasmanians safe by providing access to both proactive and responsive services to support their wellbeing.
The Strategy will guide the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management for the next five years, and includes supporting our personnel and their families as we know families too are affected by their loved ones wellbeing.
The Strategy's vision is for positive mental health and wellbeing within the organisation so that people are mentally and physically fit, ready and capable to deliver high quality policing and emergency services for the community.
The latest Tasmanian Budget 2021-22 includes an additional $1.5 million for the Health and Wellbeing of emergency service personnel and volunteers, taking the total funding to $3 million per annum.
This additional funding will allow for additional services, such as psychologists and counselling, and ensure that all our emergency service personnel and volunteers are able to receive the support that they require from the Health and Wellbeing Program.
