The Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) was formed out of a natural disaster, in recognition of the impact that it had on individuals and families. Extreme weather events are now more frequent and the operating environment for emergency management more complex. It all adds up to increasing the pressure on people working across the spectrum of emergency preparedness, response and recovery and those at home supporting them. Victoria’s mental health claims data for the sector provides a clear and distressing picture of how that pressure is affecting so many individuals and those around them. According to WorkSafe Victoria data, as a sector we account for 15 percent of all mental injury claims, and this is predicted to continue to rise. We know it is a mix of psychosocial hazards that contribute to this alarming statistic and if this strategy is successful, we will make a significant contribution to reducing that number and harm for current and future generations of emergency management workers and by extension their families and communities. A mentally healthy workforce is necessary to do this important emergency management work and meet community expectations. That workforce needs a mentally healthy workplace culture to be nurtured and sustained. We play a key role in bringing agencies together to shape the future of mental health for Victoria’s emergency management sector. As the only organisation with a dedicated focus on the mental health and wellbeing challenges facing our sector, we seize opportunities and navigate challenges for widespread benefit. Everything we do is underpinned by evidence and insights which enables us to identify emerging issues and respond innovatively to fill program gaps for our members. We are not afraid of thinking outside the box, and we thoroughly test and evaluate everything we do in laying claim to leading practice. The sector benefits from the insight and expertise we bring to the table which leads to less duplication of effort and resources. Emergency service workers and volunteers benefit from the opportunities we provide to connect and share wisdom. Our vision for mentally healthy emergency management workforces and workplaces aligns with the WorkSafe purpose to reduce harm. It reflects the positive impact we make for our sector, and through ESFs four strategic pillars we will continue to help shape the sector’s mental health and wellbeing future. Pillar 1. Advancing mental health and wellbeing initiatives that respond to shared challenges Pillar 2. Promoting workplace systems that protect and support mental health and wellbeing Pillar 3. Building sector capability in mental health and wellbeing Pillar 4. Growing ESF as a high value future ready organisation These pillars serve to shape a future which sees ESF as the sector lead in mental health and wellbeing by applying evidence, knowledge, education, innovation and showing the impact of our work. ESF has a bright and exciting future, and we encourage our members to partner with us to help bring our vision to life. Tony Pearce ESF Chair and Siusan MacKenzie CEO 3 An organisation ready to lead the way to a mentally healthy sector
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