The Responder Assist Clinic is Phoenix Australia’s specialist trauma and mental health service for emergency service workers. Delivered by Phoenix Australia, the National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health, the service connects current and former Victorian emergency service workers with clinicians experienced in:
Responder Assist was developed in recognition that emergency service work can involve repeated exposure to trauma, critical incidents and high-pressure operational environments that general mental health services may not always fully understand. The service is designed to provide practical, evidence-based support that reflects the realities of emergency service work.
Responder Assist may be beneficial for eligible current and former emergency service workers experiencing difficulties related to:
They do not need a diagnosis to use the clinic. If you’re unsure whether Responder Assist is right for someone, the intake team can talk through the situation, answer questions and help you understand what support options may be available. Get in touch →
Responder Assist supports current and former Victorian emergency service workers, including paid staff, volunteers, communications staff, administrative staff and non-operational personnel.
This includes people who are currently working, volunteering or who have previously worked within:
They must be based in Victoria to access the service.
You don’t need to refer someone to the clinic formally.
You can recommend Responder Assist or help them get in touch with our intake team to ask questions about suitability, eligibility and available support pathways.
Call 1800 329 191 9am–5pm Monday to Friday (excl. public holidays) or use the link below to send us a message.
A member of the Responder Assist team will speak with the person needing support to understand what has been happening, how it is affecting them and what support is most suitable for them, even if not through Responder Assist.
This conversation is also an opportunity to discuss questions about confidentiality, WorkCover, funding pathways and treatment options.
Call 1800 329 191 9am–5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) or send us a message.
Based on the person’s needs, the team will discuss appropriate support options and next steps.
This may include:
Not everyone will require the same type of support, and support recommendations are tailored to the individual.
If Responder Assist is the right fit, we will help connect the person with suitable trauma-informed care.
Appointments may be available via telehealth or face-to-face depending on location, clinician availability and treatment needs.
If another service is likely to be more appropriate, we can help identify alternative pathways and supports.
A member of the Responder Assist team will speak with the person needing support to understand what has been happening, how it is affecting them and what support is most suitable for them, even if not through Responder Assist.
This conversation is also an opportunity to discuss questions about confidentiality, WorkCover, funding pathways and treatment options.
Call 1800 329 191 9am–5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) or send us a message.
Based on the person’s needs, the team will discuss appropriate support options and next steps.
This may include:
Not everyone will require the same type of support, and support recommendations are tailored to the individual.
If Responder Assist is the right fit, we will help connect the person with suitable trauma-informed care.
Appointments may be available via telehealth or face-to-face depending on location, clinician availability and treatment needs.
If another service is likely to be more appropriate, we can help identify alternative pathways and supports.
Phoenix Australia’s Regional Victoria Trauma Psychiatry Clinic provides specialist assessment and treatment advice for trauma-related mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression and anxiety.
Patients see a psychiatrist or a doctor training in psychiatry under specialist supervision via telehealth. Most assessments take between one and three appointments. Recommendations will usually be shared with the patient’s GP or treating team to support ongoing care.
The Regional Victoria Psychiatry Clinic is currently open to people eligible for Responder Assist.
If you’re supporting an eligible patient who may benefit from specialist psychiatric care, you can refer them directly using our online referral form.
Responder Assist provides a range of training options for mental health professionals, including education on emergency service worker culture and the latest evidence-based trauma and mental health treatments.
Emergency service workers don’t always present like other clients. The nature of their work, culture and identity can influence how they experience trauma, seek help and engage in treatment. Our Community of Practice helps clinicians better understand these differences through practical learning, discussion and shared experience.
Delivered in partnership with the Mental Health Practitioners’ Network (MHPN), these free online sessions combine expert presentations, real-world discussion and opportunities to learn from experienced clinicians and emergency service workers with lived experience.
If you’d like to attend a future session, register your interest below. We’ll let you know when registrations open for upcoming events.
Our Community of Practice gives you the opportunity to:
Sessions explore topics relevant to clinicians working with emergency service workers, including:
Emergency service workers experience repeated exposure to traumatic events throughout their careers. They also work within strong occupational cultures that shape how they seek help, engage in treatment and recover.
The more clinicians understand these experiences, the better equipped they are to build trust, tailor treatment and support meaningful recovery.
Communities of Practice also provide an opportunity for clinicians to reflect on their own practice, share knowledge and continue developing their skills alongside peers.
If you’d like to attend a future session, register your interest below. We’ll let you know when registrations open for upcoming events.
Find practical, evidence-informed resources to support every stage of care. Explore clinical tools, guides, webinars, assessment measures and research designed to help you better understand, assess and support emergency service workers and those around them.
Use the filters below to narrow your search by topic, audience or resource type.
Explore the research behind Responder Assist and how it’s helping improve mental health support for emergency service workers.
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Build your knowledge and skills through specialist trauma training, professional development and our Community of Practice.
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Access evidence-based guidance for the assessment, treatment and support of emergency service personnel with PTSD.
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