Marine Rescue NSW members can now take advantage of a new service to support their wellbeing and help build their mental fitness – and they can do it while enjoying a range of activities with their families and emergency services colleagues.
MRNSW and Fortem Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established to help support emergency first responders and national security personnel, this morning signed a Memorandum of Understanding at MRNSW Headquarters to provide the additional support to our membership.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos and Fortem’s General Manager of Service Delivery, Darrin Lincoln, lauded the new partnership as offering tremendous benefits to MRNSW volunteers, staff members and their families.
Commissioner Tannos said Fortem provided an opportunity for frontline workers in the emergency services and other areas to deal with their wellbeing and mental health.
”It’s an issue that’s becoming more and more prevalent right across Australia and right across the world. It’s great to see an organisation that has grabbed this issue and is actually doing something about it,” he said.
Mr Lincoln said Fortem understood the trials and tribulations Marine Rescue personnel and their families dealt with day in and day out.
“We support members and their families. Sometimes families get forgotten in the overall struggle of what members do. It’s important that families are treated equally, if not better,” he said.
Fortem uses research and best practice to develop wellbeing activities, community engagement and psychological support services to assist participants’ mental health and wellbeing.
MRNSW members and their families will now be able to choose from a smorgasboard of wellness activities such as bushwalks, gym classes, lawn bowls, surfing lessons, BBQ classes, craft activities and ten pin bowling.
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie have already taken part in activities including surfing and paintball challenges through the program.
Online activities also are offered, such as a monthly trivia competition that has linked personnel serving not only around Australia but also others further afield, such as Federal Police officers in Papua New Guinea and Timor or the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
All activities are free to members and their families. Joining in is easy – simply book online at https://fortemaustralia.org.au/calendar/ and add that you are from Marine Rescue NSW.
“Family is anyone you share a fridge with – it might be your husband or wife and your kids. Maybe you live with your parents or maybe it’s your flatmate who’s your sounding board. They’re all welcome,” Mr Lincoln said. “We don’t care what rank, uniform or security clearance you have. It’s about people talking to each other while they’re there that’s important – it’s informal chats and bonding that helps.”
Events can be organised specifically for members of one agency but more commonly are open to a range of participants from different services. Some events are only for families and others combine members and families.
Fortem also offers a range of counselling and psychological support services free of charge to members. These can be accessed on 1300 338 594 or psychology@fortemaustralia.org.au
This is offered in addition to Marine Rescue NSW’s existing Critical Incident Support Service.
Visit fortemaustralia.org.au
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