Quote from nbrt-adm on 14/11/2025, 2:11 pm

The NZ Red Cross 'Leading in disaster recovery- a companion through the chaos' has some great tools you can add to your toolbox to help you support your team. You can find the resource here

Quote from Alanna Fenton on 08/06/2026, 12:54 pm

I've been collecting resources and information to update Qld's internal biosecurity information hub and thought I would share some of what I've found. 

I also attended the Frontline Mental Health Conference earlier in March and could share my notes from that if anyone is particularly interested. My favourite talks included the Director of Wellbeing of Queensland Ambulance Service, Todd Wehr on Enhancing Psychological Resilience. They have an internal peer support program called Priority One.

I also really liked a talk from Disaster Relief Australia and their Wellbeing Call Model. It provides insight into how they monitor wellbeing of volunteers that deploy to help in disaster recovery operations. 

Collection of information and resources below. Note that I have not used every one of these so it would be good to review them for yourself before sharing. 

 

Non-urgent support contacts 

If you or someone you know is not in immediate danger, but is struggling, consider one of these options. A GP or other allied health practitioners are also a good place to start. 

 

• EAP – Telus Health 

• • Free counselling, manager support, online resources, and critical incident counselling. 

• Queensland Government - Local services finder search 

• • Find and access local support services in your area. (I assume Victoria might have something similar)

• Beyond Blue 

• • Free 24/7 support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention. 

• TIACS - The Home of Blue Collar Counselling 

• • Free counselling for blue-collar workers (also includes farming, biosecurity and families). 

• Black Dog Institute - National Emergency Worker Support Service 

• • Free resources, and potentially free supports for emergency service workers. (I am unsure if biosecurity would be eligible, but they do say that wildlife volunteers and SES type of people are, so this might be possible. I did email the eligibility contact a few weeks ago but never heard anything back).

• Royal Flying Doctor Service - Mental Health and Wellbeing 

• • The Mental Health and Wellbeing Service contains several specialised teams which provide psychological therapies and tailored programs for rural and remote Queenslanders. 

 

 

Wellbeing Resources 

This is a collection of resources and websites to help learn and build wellbeing preparedness. Most of these resources are specific to high-stress environments and emergency services.  

Booklets 

Be healthy be safe be well framework – Queensland public sector framework 

Leading in Disaster Recovery: A Companion Through the Chaos - NZ Red Cross 

Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Land | Royal Flying Doctor Service 

Psychological hazard reduction for first responders and their families - Fortem Australia 

Managing Stress on the Farm booklet | National Centre for Farmer Health 

Importance of self-care planning - Black Dog Institute 

 

Websites and free resources 

Home - Fortem Australia – Organisation dedicated to supporting mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families. Free resources for building resilience and supporting yourself and your family.  

Peak Fortem - Fortem Australia - Peak Fortem has been produced in partnership between Peak State and Fortem to equip Australian first responders with information and practical tools to promote mental fitness, increase performance and improve wellbeing. 

 

Home | National Centre for Farmer Health – health services, education and training, research and stakeholder engagement. 

Support Hub – Queensland | National Centre for Farmer Health – Supports and resources specific to Queenslander. 

 

Home - Phoenix Australia – Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in posttraumatic mental health. Online resources for personal growth, and supporting others including before, during and after a disaster. 

The Disaster Mental Health Hub | phoenixaustralia.org – Information, resources and training for professionals who support individuals and communities experiencing the mental health impacts of disasters.