Navigating grief on the frontlines: supporting emergency services personnel

In this episode, Siusan MacKenzie, CEO of the Emergency Services Foundation, joins us to explore the profound ways emergency services personnel experience grief and loss in their everyday duties. Together, we examine the unique challenges frontline workers face due to their constant exposure to trauma and discuss the essential support systems designed to help them manage the emotional toll of their work. 

The conversation also addresses how recent global crises, including pandemics and civil unrest, have increased the strain on frontline workers, further impacting their mental health. You’ll gain insights into the mental health programs currently available and the ongoing efforts to enhance these initiatives, creating a stronger support network for those who serve our communities. 

Louisa and Siusan MacKenzie engage in an in-depth discussion about the emotional wellbeing of emergency workers, focusing on the ripple effects of their work on mental health, including the risk of vicarious trauma. They also highlight the importance of proactive personal and organisational strategies, emphasising the Emergency Services Foundation’s role in promoting mental resilience and wellbeing for those on the frontlines.