Paramedics supporting paramedics
Do you know a paramedic experiencing mental health concerns or suicidal distress?
There are over 23,000 paramedics registered in Australia. Paramedics are regularly ranked as one of the most trusted professions in Australia. But they also experience high stress, exposure to trauma, long and shifting work hours and low rates of help-seeking. Ambulance service personnel are nearly twice as likely as the general population to experience mental health concerns.
What is Everymind doing to help?
Paramedics experience higher levels of psychological distress, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal behaviour. We know that colleagues provide a great deal of the practical and emotional support, so your support is key to improving the mental health and wellbeing of your fellow paramedics. While rewarding, this support role can impact your time, energy and emotions. Our program aims to reduce these impacts and prevent mental health concerns and suicidal distress in paramedics.
Help us test our new program
Are you supporting a paramedic experiencing mental health concerns or suicidal distress? The paramedic does not need to have a diagnosis. Maybe you have noticed a change in mood, behaviour or dependency on drugs or alcohol?
Our new program is designed to help you to support other paramedics experiencing any mental health concerns or suicidal distress. It is for anyone who supports paramedics with their mental health – their partners, family members, friends and co-workers.
We are currently evaluating the program and invite you to participate in this research. If you would prefer not to participate in the research trial, you can access our program without completing a survey first.
Take part in our trial
We are seeking family, friends and co-workers who are:
- Aged 18 years or older
- Living in Australia
- Currently supporting a (currently or previously employed) paramedic experiencing symptoms of mental ill-health or suicidal distress
- Comfortable communicating in English
- Comfortable using web-based programs
Opt-out of the research trial
Access the program without completing surveys.
Sign-upHow does the research project work?
If you opt-in to the research trial of the program, you will be invited to take some online surveys on REDCap, a secure and confidential online survey platform.
Participation in this research is completely voluntary and unpaid. You can go in the draw to win a $200 grocery voucher by sharing your insights in the final survey. Read the Participant Information Sheet to learn more.
This online program was informed by Everymind’s national consultation with family and friends of paramedics experiencing mental ill-health or suicidal distress.
It is funded under a Veterans and First Responders Mental Health Grant Program, provided through a collaboration between Movember and The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Our project partners include The University of Newcastle, NSW Ambulance and Fortem Australia.
Research ethics information
This pilot study has been approved by the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee of Hunter New England Local Health District (Approval No. 2022/ETH02317) to be conducted at the Everymind site.
Do you have a complaint about this research?
Contact the Chief Investigator at Everymind in the first instance or an independent Human Research Ethics Officer at Hunter New England Local Health District.
Chief Investigator
Dr Sally Fitzpatrick
Everymind Program Manager
(02) 4924 6900
[email protected]
Human Research Ethics Officer
Hunter New England Research Office
Hunter New England Local Health District
Level 3, POD, Hunter Medical Research Institute
Lot 1 Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights NSW 2305
(02) 4921 4140
[email protected]