Event – 2023 Frontline Mental Health Conference
Frontline workers, such as firefighters, police officers and defence workers, are known for their resilience, but they are also at high risk of poor mental health. Employees in the police and emergency services sector have substantially higher rates of psychological distress and probable PTSD compared to the Australian population and workers in other industries (10 per cent compared to four per cent of the general population – including the Australian Defence Force). Meanwhile, one police officer, paramedic or firefighter takes their own life every six weeks.
The Frontline Mental Health Conference – taking place at the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast between March 6 and 7 – is aiming to change this. The event will bring together leaders and managers in police, fire, defence, rescue and emergency services, along with mental health service providers, to share, collaborate, listen and discover new ways to care for frontline mental health workers. The Frontline Mental Health Conference will help attendees to:
- Understand the current challenges and opportunities for the sector
- Tap into more advanced work systems and care models
- Connect to the community of frontline workers and mental health professionals
- Inspire new ideas, insights and approaches
- Have your voice, research or insights seen and heard
Access Psych will be attending the conference, with our National Business Development Manager and ex-service police officer with Western Australia Police Force, Jaqui O’Donohoe, in attendance on both days. Jaqui will be manning a stall in the breakout area and running a poster presentation in the breakout session titled, “Why are we not ‘talking about it’? The de-stigmatisation of mental illness”.
Date: Monday, March 6, 2023 – Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Time: 7:45am to 6pm (March 6) and 8am to 4:20pm (March 7)
Location: RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast, Ross Street, Benowa, QLD 4217
To register: visit https://anzmh.asn.au/fmhc-2023
