Emergency service workers are to receive better support and more accessible mental health services as part of the official response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
Before he became injured, Premier Daniel Andrews said changes to emergency services would play a key role in the work to overhaul Victoria’s mental health system and implement the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
“This includes changes to responding to ‘000’ calls, with our ambulance services to become first responders to calls for mental health support,” Mr Andrews said.
“A special working group will be established in coming weeks with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) and their industrial representatives to work through how this change will be implemented,” he said.
Mr Andrews said a Centre for Excellence would be established to provide better mental health support services for emergency service workers and volunteers.
“Delivered in partnership with a specialist network of clinicians, the Centre will build greater understanding of the unique mental health needs of emergency service workers – ensuring health professionals have the advanced skills and tools they need to support these employees,” the Premier said.
“This will include providing evidence-based treatment, as well as undertaking ground-breaking research and evaluation projects.”
He said a free advisory service would also be made available for health professionals who cared for emergency service workers and who may require general advice and case management support.
Mr Andrews said first responders and emergency service workers were more likely than others in the community to suffer serious and debilitating mental illness as a result of the trauma they faced while working.
