New South Wales has launched the 2025-29 Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for First Responders, mandating psychological first-aid training across public sector agencies. This initiative aims to equip first responders, including emergency services personnel and employees of agencies like Forestry Corporation of NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Transport for NSW, with tools to manage the mental health impacts of traumatic incidents.

First responders face heightened risks of work-related mental health disorders due to the nature of their roles, which often involve high-stress situations. The strategy emphasises proactive measures to address psychosocial risks, requiring employers to provide tailored mental health support accessible throughout responders’ careers, especially in regional areas. Key actions include mandatory psychological first-aid training, timely clinical care referrals for affected employees, and evidence-based peer support programs.

NSW Premier Chris Minns highlighted the importance of supporting those who “run towards distressing scenes,” ensuring their mental well-being through comprehensive policies. The strategy has been praised by experts like Samuel Harvey from the Black Dog Institute for its focus on evidence-based interventions and early support mechanisms.

This initiative reflects broader workplace health and safety trends in Australia, where psychosocial hazards are increasingly recognized as critical challenges. Psychological first-aid training provides essential skills to identify stress signs, manage distress, and foster resilience among responders. As Safe Work Australia continues to refine WHS regulations, NSW’s strategy sets a precedent for addressing mental health in high-risk occupations.