The critical role of
friends and family

Is your loved one a frontline worker? Your role in supporting their mental health may be more crucial than you think. Hear from Cliff & Tanya Overton as they reflect on the impact of being involved in the Black Saturday fires.

Agency Information

Police Veteran Victoria logo

PVV (Police Veterans Victoria)

Police Veterans Victoria Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that supports Victoria Police Veterans and their families. They are the only organisation with a dedicated focus on improving mental health amongst Victoria Police Veterans and their families.

Veteran Peer Support Officers (VPSO’s) are police veterans who are trained to provide confidential support and referral services to those that may be experiencing mental health issues including PTSD, depression, anxiety, social isolation, alcohol and substance abuse.

Our VPSOs are not counsellors and do not make psychological assessments but they do have access to various resources including psychologists, chaplaincy and other support services.

We recognise that family members can also be impacted, and our service is extended to them.

Go to Police Veterans Website

 

VICSES logo

SES Victoria (State Emergency Service Victoria)

SES Victoria is the control agency for flood, storm, tsunami earthquake and landslide in Victoria. SES Victoria has a coordination role in facilitating the development of emergency plans for these hazards at state and regional tiers, by managing responses to these emergencies and helping communities to prepare through effective planning.

SES Victoria provides emergency assistance to thousands of Victorians every year. In 2019-2020 SES Victoria responded to 33,742 emergency incidents across the state, contributing a total of 382,141 hours helping Victorians in need.

SES Victoria’s people – volunteer and staff– are highly skilled, well equipped, and trained comprehensively in a wide range of emergency environments. Today, they comprise more than 5,000 volunteers and 200 employees, all crucial to the success of SES Victoria and their vision to make the community safer, together.

Their volunteers are the backbone of SES Victoria, serving the Victorian community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for more than 40 years. 95% of SES Victoria’s people are volunteers.

Login to the SES Hub
Police Veteran Victoria logo

PVV (Police Veterans Victoria)

Police Veterans Victoria Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that supports Victoria Police Veterans and their families. They are the only organisation with a dedicated focus on improving mental health amongst Victoria Police Veterans and their families.

Veteran Peer Support Officers (VPSO’s) are police veterans who are trained to provide confidential support and referral services to those that may be experiencing mental health issues including PTSD, depression, anxiety, social isolation, alcohol and substance abuse.

Our VPSOs are not counsellors and do not make psychological assessments but they do have access to various resources including psychologists, chaplaincy and other support services.

We recognise that family members can also be impacted, and our service is extended to them.

Go to Police Veterans Website

 

VICSES logo

SES Victoria (State Emergency Service Victoria)

SES Victoria is the control agency for flood, storm, tsunami earthquake and landslide in Victoria. SES Victoria has a coordination role in facilitating the development of emergency plans for these hazards at state and regional tiers, by managing responses to these emergencies and helping communities to prepare through effective planning.

SES Victoria provides emergency assistance to thousands of Victorians every year. In 2019-2020 SES Victoria responded to 33,742 emergency incidents across the state, contributing a total of 382,141 hours helping Victorians in need.

SES Victoria’s people – volunteer and staff– are highly skilled, well equipped, and trained comprehensively in a wide range of emergency environments. Today, they comprise more than 5,000 volunteers and 200 employees, all crucial to the success of SES Victoria and their vision to make the community safer, together.

Their volunteers are the backbone of SES Victoria, serving the Victorian community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for more than 40 years. 95% of SES Victoria’s people are volunteers.

Login to the SES Hub

About Responder Assist

Responder Assist is a government funded service that aims to improve the lives of emergency services workers through tailored mental health supports.

We run a clinical intake and advice service that is open to all Victorian emergency services workers, including those that have retired from service. We also offer training and support to mental health practitioners who treat emergency services personnel. These offerings are underpinned by our research arm which runs ongoing clinical trials to develop evidence-based mental health interventions that are specific to emergency workers.

Why Responder Assist Exists

NEED URGENT HELP?

For urgent support
call Lifeline on

Call 13 11 14

Confidential 24/7
counselling and referrals

Lifeline website