Connect with people around you; with family, friends, neighbours or people you meet, at work, school or at the shops.
Think of these social connections as important in your life and spend time developing them. Building these relationships will support and strengthen you every day.
Fortem Australia
Fortem Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and a key partner for Ambulance Victoria.
Fortem exist to connect first responders and their inner circles to create stronger, healthier relationships and lifestyles. Established in mid-2019 to fill an urgent need for mental health and wellbeing support for first responders and their families – further intensified by the devastating Black Summer bushfires in 2019-2020, and the associated trauma endured by first responders and their loved ones.
First responders protect and care for our communities. Fortem recognises that the work they do and have done is vitally important, it is also often confronting, traumatic, and dangerous. Fortem use research and best-practice to develop wellbeing activities, community engagement, and psychological services which support the mental health and wellbeing of the people who work in our national security and emergency responder communities. This means supporting their families too.
Buddy Up Australia
Buddy Up Australia connects current and former serving military and first responders, and their immediate families to their communities through free membership to physical fitness, social activities and purposeful volunteering.
Whether you are still serving or are transitioning away from the emergency service workforce, Buddy Up Australia provides you with a continued sense of identity, connection and purpose. We’re here to help our community thrive and feel the support and inspiration of being part of our tribe.
Chapters are located across Australia, with the Victorian Chapters based in Melbourne and Geelong. Activities are diverse, ranging from relaxing bushwalks, coffee catch-ups, and yoga sessions, to more adventurous activities like fishing, tennis, kayaking and even equine therapy.
There is also a National Chapter which holds online activities for those not located near one of the city or regional Chapters, but since the end of the COVID 19 pandemic this Chapter has been fairly inactive. However, if you are interested in participating in an online activity, please get in touch with the National Chapter at info@buddyupaustralia.org
The Code 9 Foundation
The Code 9 Foundation provides a place of support for current & veteran professional first responders & 000 operators who live with PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions that result from their service to the community.
This support is available both in the ‘virtual world’ as well as via organised Peer to Peer ‘Catch-up’ nights, Coffee meet ups and other formal events. The path through mental illness can be an isolating and lonely road. At Code 9 we reach out and teach one another that they are never alone in their respective journeys, and we protect, support and encourage one another to do what is necessary to recover.
QLife
QLife provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. QLife services are free and include both telephone and webchat support, delivered by trained LGBTIQ+ community members across the country. Our services are for LGBTIQ+ individuals, their friends and families, and health professionals in Australia. Beyond the telephone, QLife offers webchat for people who prefer online interactions or for whom the phone is impractical.
Australian Men’s Shed Association
The modern Men’s Shed is an updated version of the shed in the backyard that has long been a part of Australian culture. Men’s Sheds are found in many cities and towns around Australia and continue to spring up internationally. The Men’s Shed movement has become one of the most powerful tools in addressing health and wellbeing, helping men to once again become valued & productive members of our community.
Healing Foundation
The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that provides a platform to amplify the voices and lived experience of Stolen Generations survivors and their families. They work with communities to create a place of safety, providing an environment for Stolen Generations survivors and their families to speak for themselves, tell their own stories, and be in charge of their own healing. They promote trauma-aware, healing-informed practice to help government, policymakers, and workforces understand their role in intergenerational healing.
Relationships Australia
We are a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. We aim to support all people in Australia to achieve positive and respectful relationships.
Djirra
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation offering practical support to all Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past.
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service have established a free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Yarning SafeNStrong is available to people and families who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing.
Amber Community
Amber Community is a not-for-profit organisation contributing to the safety and wellbeing of Victorian road users. We provide counselling and support to people affected by road trauma and address attitudes and behaviours of road users through education.
Infoxchange Service Seeker
The directory provides up to date information on 400,000 service, from education & training to health and housing. You can search by keyword, suburb, postcodes – so you can find services in your local area.
Click to learn more about the other WSS Wellbeing Approach actions:
