Ensuring that emergency services workers get the best care and treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is what brought government representatives, emergency services and health organisations, clinicians, business and union leaders together at a special event on 13 November.
Partnering with Black Dog Institute, EML Group was proud to host the PTSD Guidelines Update Breakfast in the Grand Ballroom at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.
More than 100 attendees heard Professor Richard Bryant, external fellow at Black Dog Institute and Scientia Professor of Psychology at UNSW Sydney, give an overview of the updated guidelines.
These are the first and only PTSD guidelines in the world developed with a specific focus on the emergency services community, using real-world evidence to understand and address the unique challenges faced by this group.
“The impact of PTSD affects not only the individual but their family, workplace and community and there’s a huge financial toll,” said Professor Bryant. “Clinicians need to be aware of the cumulative effect of trauma and the range of mental health problems that present as well as PTSD. There also needs to be awareness of physical signs, such as chronic pain.”
Professor Richard Byrant led an illuminating panel discussion with Commissioner Gavin Freeman, Fire Rescue Victoria; Professor Andrea Phelps and Dr Greg Roebuck both of Phoenix Australia; and Andrew Atkinson, veteran Police Officer who shared his lived-experience of PTSD.
“As we heard today, supportive counselling is common but it’s not enough,” says Don Ferguson, CEO EML Management. “People deserve treatment which is evidence-based and improves outcomes and quality of life, which is why EML funded the development of these guidelines.”
Guests were given a copy of the updated PTSD guidelines and Recovery After Trauma guides which have recently been updated by Phoenix Australia.
Read the update guidelines here PTSD expert guidelines: a clinicians summary | EML
View the updated Recovery After Trauma guides here Recovery after Trauma Guides | EML
Pictured from left: EML General Manager Victoria David Pickering, Andrew Atkinson, Professor Richard Bryant, Commissioner Gavin Freeman, Sheena Watt MP, Dr Greg Roebuck, EML Management CEO Don Ferguson and Professor Andrea Phelps.