Post incident response
In the days after you respond to an incident, NSW Ambulance will contact you to discuss your experience and answer any questions you may have. The NSW Ambulance support team will also contact you to see if you need support or services to improve your mental health and well-being.
Specialist Services
Contact: Visit your GP to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan
General Practitioners can assist in long-term and ongoing support. They offer an independent service and can help you access a Mental Health Treatment Plan through Medicare. Mental Health Treatment Plans provide access to psychological support and counselling with a mental health professional who is registered with Medicare. A Mental Health Treatment Plan provides a Medicare rebate for between six to ten sessions per calendar year. There may be out-of-pocket expenses incurred reflecting the gap between the Medicare rebate and the fee the Practitioners charge. If you have private health insurance, check with your insurer, as you may be eligible for a partial refund.
Get access to thousands of psychologists across Australia. Search for a psychologist by issue, name, location, or area of practice. https://www.psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) generally offers free and confidential assessments and short-term counselling for employees and their families. This service is often provided by both paid and volunteer organisations. Please contact your employer, or organisation, to find out the best way to contact your EAP, as well as the services that are available to you within your affiliated organisation.
For immediate, 24-hour support
NSW state-wide service available 24/7. The NSW Mental Health Line can be contacted if you have concerns for someone’s immediate safety, or the safety of others. The NSW Mental Health Line offers mental health advice from a professional and connects them to the appropriate support if necessary.
Provides confidential crisis support and suicide prevention. Lifeline Text is available on 0477 13 11 14. Online Crisis Support Chat is also available. All services are available 24/7. https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Nationwide counselling and online service providing 24/7 counselling to people affected by suicide. Online chat available 24/7 and video counselling available by appointment. https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
National mental health initiative. 24/7 telephone support and online chat service with links to local services. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Other Services
A free, confidential, online, personalised mental health care assessment and treatment service. https://www.mindspot.org.au/
Australian National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health. Online resource and access to clinical services specialising in Psychological First Aid, Trauma-informed Care and Vicarious Trauma. https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/
Ph: 0412 663 159
Chaplains provide confidential and nonjudgmental support to Ambulance staff and their families, as well as support to bystanders at traumatic incidents. Chaplains assist with 24/7 post-incident support and pastoral care, which may occur at the scene of an incident, a workplace, a home, or a hospital. Chaplains also provide spiritual guidance or help to access other faith-based care or welfare services.
Smiling Mind, Headspace, Calm, Breathwrk
If none of these services meet your needs, please contact our team at AMBULANCE-GoodSAM@health.nsw.gov.au and we can assist you in finding the right support.