Emergency services

What is the Specialist Network of Clinicians?

At its core, the Responder Assist team's mission is to improve mental health outcomes for emergency workers in Victoria. The Specialist Network of Clinicians (SNC) was created to support this mission. Together with the Responder Assist clinic, the SNC forms a key strategic pillar that enables specialised mental health treatment for emergency workers. So what exactly is the SNC? Clinicians that are part of the SNC have specialised training and extensive experience in treating mental health issues in the emergency services sector. They engage in ongoing training and supervision to ensure that they are up to date with the latest developments in research and evidence-based trauma treatments for emergency workers.

What can emergency workers expect when they contact the Responder Assist clinic hotline?

Are you an emergency worker, or do you form part of an emergency worker’s support network? You can contact the Responder Assist clinic hotline service on 1800 329 191 Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. This confidential and independent service provides treatment by specialist clinicians trained in working with emergency services personnel who have experienced trauma. Accessing the service is straightforward, and those who need help can be referred by the health professional treating them, or an emergency worker can refer themselves. Read on to find out what to expect when you call the hotline. 

How Responder Assist’s research is supporting emergency workers

Responder Assist provides an assessment and treatment service to ensure emergency workers can access care that is tailored to suit their needs. Alongside this, the Responder Assist service also provides training and support to mental health clinicians who treat emergency workers. Research is already underway to help ensure that the Responder Assist clinical service is continually improving and meeting the needs of emergency workers and the practitioners supporting them. Two new studies have been designed to gather insights from clinicians and emergency workers. 

Emergency services workers need to be proactive in caring for their mental health to reduce the impacts of trauma

Emergency services workers may attend car accidents, suicides, bushfires or family violence incidents—they enter a high-risk industry for mental health injury,” says Tim Peck, Senior Specialist Police and Emergency Services at Phoenix Australia. When they join that industry, they need to focus on their own mental health. Read more.

Moral Injury Guide for Healthcare Workers

After more than two years of working through the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare workers continue to face unprecedented levels of exhaustion, stress and frustration. As well as the sheer volume of work and the relentless demand for services,  during the pandemic, our healthcare workers have been confronted with a range of moral stressors that can challenge their personal sense of right and wrong or professional ethics. Read more.

Meet Phoenix Australia’s Responder Assist Multidisciplinary Advice Panel

We are pleased to introduce our newly established Responder Assist Multidisciplinary Advice Panel (MDAP) which offers mental health practitioners expert guidance and advice when treating emergency workers. The MDAP forms a critical piece of our Responder Assist strategy as we work to improve mental health outcomes for Victorian emergency services workers and uplift the capability of the clinicians treating them. Read more.

The Disaster Mental Health Hub: A one-stop-shop for those who support individuals and communities impacted by disasters

Natural disasters like bushfires, drought, floods and other traumatic events can have lasting impacts upon affected individuals, their loved ones and communities. These events are often overwhelming, and it can be challenging to know where to turn to for trusted information after escaping the immediate threat of the disaster, particularly for those who help others cope, including health practitioners and recovery workers. Read more.