Support for RFS members and their families

Other support services

The following list of additional mental health support services is provided to offer alternative options for RFS members and their families in need of assistance or crisis support:

• The Black Dog Institute offers free, confidential and evidence-based mental health support to emergency service workers and volunteers (age 18+ years). For more information, visit Black Dog Institute NEWSS or call the care coordinators at the Traumatic Stress Clinic on (02) 9843 9450, (9am-5pm on weekdays).
• Fortem Australia is dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families. They offer a range of free, confidential services designed to help manage the unique challenges of first responder work. For more information, or to access services, visit Fortem Australia, call 1300 33 95 94 (business hours), or email psychology@fortemaustralia.org.au
• SANE Australia is a national charity offering free digital and telehealth support for individuals affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their families, friends, and carers. For more information, visit SANE Australia or call 1800 187 263 (10 am to 8 pm Mon-Fri).
• Lifeline Australia aims to ensure that no one has to face their darkest moments alone. Lifeline Australia provides 24/7 crisis support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts. Call the 24/7 crisis helpline at 13 11 14 for immediate support, or reach out to the confidential text service at 0477 13 11 14 for one-on-one chats with a trained crisis supporter.
• Beyond Blue offers free 24/7 counselling services via phone (1300 224 636) and online chat at Beyond Blue.
• headspace is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation, offering early intervention services to young people aged 12-25.  For more information, visit headspace, or call 1800 650 890 - available 3pm-10pm every day.
• MensLine Australia provides free, confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling for men across Australia. Counselling options include phone calls, chats, and video calls, available anytime. No referral needed—just reach out by calling 1300 78 99 78 or visiting MensLine.
• The Suicide Call Back Service offers free, nationwide 24/7 phone and online counselling for individuals affected by suicide. They provide confidential support for those feeling suicidal, worried about someone, or grieving a loss. For immediate help, call 1300 659 467 or visit Suicide Call Back Service.
• 13YARN is a national support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in crisis. They provide free, confidential, and culturally safe crisis support. Call 13 92 76 (available 24/7), from any mobile or payphone, to connect with a supportive listener. Or visit www.13yarn.org.au to learn more.
• 1800RESPECT provides free, confidential support 24/7 for people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence.  Available 24/7 via phone (1800 737 732), text (0458 737 732), and online chat via 1800RESPECT.
• Living and working across regional, rural and remote NSW, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program is uniquely placed to identify and link people in local communities experiencing mental health concerns to mental health support. www.ramhp.com.au

Support for 16-17 year olds

A mature minor is an adolescent under the age of 18 who has sufficient maturity and understanding to make decisions about their health care, including the nature, consequences, risks and implications of their decisions.

By law, the competency of young people under the age of 18 years to provide consent must be assessed. In NSW, common law allows for children as young as 14 years old to consent to their own psychological intervention. In practice, the capacity to consent is usually accepted for young people aged 16 years or older, although clinicians should assess each individual’s capacity based on their maturity and understanding rather than age alone.

Clinicians will consider factors such as the young person’s level of independence, communication skills (including comprehension), emotional maturity and the presence of other relevant health issues (e.g., developmental disability) in determining whether a young person can provide informed consent. They will also seek supervision and guidance from their clinical supervisor when determining if a young person can provide informed consent.

The young person will be asked why they are attending alone, what supports are in place and which adults (if any) are aware of their situation. This information will be documented, along with the rationale for determining competency to consent, with due consideration given the young person's right to privacy.

RFS Psychologists will not automatically accept requests for a psychological service from children or young people under the age of 18. Where it is deemed not appropriate for an RFS Psychologist to provide a psychological service to a child or young person under the age of 18, the RFS psychology team will support the child or young person to access an external service that will meet their clinical needs.

Where an RFS Psychologist determines it is appropriate for a young person aged 16-17 years to access a psychological service from an RFS Psychologist, the psychologist will assess the factors outlined above (and any other relevant factors) to determine the young person’s competency to consent. They will also seek clinical supervision, guidance and approval from the Manager Mental Health Services (and/or from their supervising Senior Psychologist, if employed by the RFS as a Psychologist) when determining competency to consent, and throughout the intervention as required.

Even if the young person provides informed consent on their own behalf, the RFS Psychologist will encourage the young person to involve their family and friends as much as they are comfortable with throughout their intervention, where it is appropriate to do so, and their involvement aligns with the young person’s wishes and the goals of the intervention.

Limits of confidentiality

The RFS and its members, including Mental Health Services team members, have an ethical and legal obligation to take appropriate action if:

1. A member is at risk of harm to themselves or any other person; or
2. A member discloses a serious criminal offence; or
3. A member is unable to safely undertake their duties, or the individual is at risk of psychological harm by continuing their duties; or
4. The law requires or permits RFS to disclose personal information (including health information).

Appropriate action that a Mental Health Services team member may take includes but is not limited to:

1. Disclosure of information and referral to relevant health providers.
2. Disclosure of information and referral to relevant legal or regulatory authorities, e.g. NSW Police, Independent Commission Against Corruption, SafeWork, State Insurance Regulatory Authority, nominated Insurer.
3. Disclosure of information to relevant management authority (e.g. Area Commander) to the extent needed for guidance and intervention.
4. Disclosure of information to identified support network (e.g. next of kin emergency contact).

If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, you can ask the MHS team member you are speaking with, or reach out to the Mental Health Services team by emailing mental.wellbeing@rfs.nsw.gov.au