Family Support for Emergency Services | EML

Employer's Mutual

Family support of an emergency service professional: husband or wife, partner, son, daughter or sibling, can make a huge difference to your loved one’s recovery from injury or management of trauma. We understand the benefit of family support, as well as the challenges you may face in your role as support-person.

The information in this collection is designed to help you understand and support your loved one’s recovery and the impacts it can have on family life.

There are a range of employer-provided and community-based services that you can access to maintain the wellbeing of you and anyone else close to your loved ones, such as children. There are also resources to help you find right level of support for your husband, wife, partner, or other close relative.

Understanding your partner's mental health

How can I encourage my loved one to get help?

It’s hard to watch a loved one struggle with their emotions and mental health. If you are fighting more, feel that they aren’t being as attentive or loving as they used to be, o...

What is trauma?

Sometimes people refer to ‘the trauma’ of seeing or experiencing something, and other times we might hear trauma used to describe the injury itself.

What is a mental breakdown?

You may have heard people in your life or even just in the media use the term “mental breakdown” or “nervous breakdown” and wondered what exactly that looks and feels like. If s...

What is PTSD? How did my loved one get it?

For some people their loved one telling them they have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) may come as a shock, for others they may have anticipated this was coming after noti...

How can I understand what is happening with my loved one's mental health condition?

As a partner or family member you know your loved one better than anyone, including their doctor or psychologist but that doesn’t always mean you can read their mind and know wh...

Why is my loved one so angry?

Anger is a common reaction for many who have experienced a traumatic incident.

What does the word 'trigger' actually mean?

Talk about PTSD often involves some mention of the phrase ‘trigger’ but if you are not experiencing PTSD yourself, it can be difficult to understand how this works and what it m...

Why is my loved one drinking more?

In the Beyondblue Answering the Call report, it was identified that emergency service workers had high rates of alcohol consumption and this was higher in those who were likely ...

Navigating a workers compensation claim as a partner

How can I understand what is happening with my loved one's mental health condition?

As a partner or family member you know your loved one better than anyone, including their doctor or psychologist but that doesn’t always mean you can read their mind and know wh...

Finding out more about your loved one's recovery

Recovery from some physical and psychological injuries can be lengthy. You will probably have a lot of questions. Some of them will relate to the injury itself, what is it, what...

Recovering from a psychological injury

What is a safety plan? Why am I being asked to participate?

A safety plan describes the steps that need to be taken to keep your loved one safe. It is often suggested by a treating psychologist or psychiatrist for people who are experien...

What happens when my partner is in inpatient care?

Inpatient care involves admission to hospital. It is recommended for people who are extremely ill or who have complex care needs and are unlikely to receive the support they nee...

What does outpatient care mean?

Outpatient care consists of scheduled appointments that a person attends while they continue to reside in their usual home. Your loved one will still receive care from their psy...

Helping yourself and children

"What happened to Dad/Mum?" Explaining psychological injury to your kids

Your loved one may be feeling like their psychological injury is a constant topic. As part of their recovery they may be talking with their Doctor, Psychologist, Case Manager, R...

How to cope with First Responder Mental Illness

Coping with your first responder partner’s mental illness or mental health involves supporting your loved one while also looking after yourself and your family.

Family Support Useful Resources

NSW Police Family Support Coordinator

A short-term information, advice and referral service, that supports family members, including but not limited to those of ill and injured NSW Police Force employees.

FRNSW Support for staff, their family, and friends

Practical suggestions on how to help support the firefighter in your family, practice self-care for yourself, and ensure family and friends know of available resources.

NSW Health Resources - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

A free, confidential counselling, coaching and wellbeing service available to all NSW Health staff and their immediate family. The service is completely confidential.

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