Emergency Workers: Responder Assist – Episode 2 – Models of care

Professor Mark Creamer is a clinical and consulting psychologist with over 30 years’ experience in the field of post-traumatic mental health.

Mark is internationally recognised for his work in the field and provides policy advice, training and research consultancy to government and non-government organisations, with the aim of improving the recognition, prevention and treatment of psychological problems following stressful life events.

Mark is a Professorial Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and has an impressive research record with over 180 publications.

Mark is an accomplished speaker and has given numerous presentations (by invitation) at national and international conferences.

Patricia Watson, Ph.D. is a consultant at Phoenix Australia’s Responder Assist, and a psychologist for the U.S. National Center for PTSD.  Her education includes a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, and a postgraduate fellowship in paediatric psychology.

She has been involved in extensive science-into-practice translation, intervention development, and program implementation, including:

• Co-authoring versions of Stress First Aid self-care/co-worker support models for military, law enforcement, forest firefighters, nurses, probation officers, and rail workers, as well as public-facing versions for patients, clients, and families.
• Co-editing three books on disaster behavioural health interventions, and numerous publications and courses on disaster mental health, combat and operational stress, military culture, early intervention, and resilience.
• Co-authoring the Psychological First Aid (PFA) Field Guide and the Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) Manual, designed to intervene in the immediate and intermediate phases after disasters and terrorism.

Maya is a GP currently based at Cohealth, a community health centre located in Footscray, Melbourne, Australia. Maya has a special interest in improving mental health care at the primary care level and has previously worked at the Psychological Trauma Recovery Service at Austin Health.

Neville Goddard has been a volunteer member of Diamond Creek Fire Brigade as an operational firefighter for more than 30 years and a member of the Country Fire Authority (CGA) for over 35 years.

Joining the CFA peer support program was a logical extension of Neville’s passion for volunteering, which was a natural part of life growing up in a small country town where there’s a culture of supporting the local community.

Neville had been a volunteer telephone counsellor with Personal Emergency Service/Crisis Line/Care Ring for many years and became aware of the CFA Peer Support program around the time the telephone counselling service ceased operating. The CFA Peer Support program has been an ideal way to bring together a passion for the CFA and a personal interest in mental health and wellbeing. CFA Peers are not counsellors, but the skills and attributes are transferable.

Neville also participates in Firefighter Stair Climbs to raise awareness about mental health  and raise funds for organisations that support mental health, with a focus on the emergency services and  an emphasis on the strong association between physical activity and mental health.