Wellbeing Science Institute

Defence

Serving one’s country places huge pressures on defence force personnel and their loved ones.

Our work with defence involves helping individuals who serve, be better equipped with the wellbeing knowledge and skills so they can be more effective in their roles, have greater overall wellbeing and be more resilient over the long term.

We recognise this is a challenging task but we approach our work from a salutogenic perspective that focuses on factors that support health and wellbeing, beyond a more traditional, ‘pathogenic’ focus on risk and problems.

The Soldier Recovery Centre

For the past 5 years we have been an integral part of The Soldier Recovery Centre Program at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland in Australia.

Our work centres upon assisting soldiers who are either injured or ill (or both) regain their whole-person wellbeing through evidence-based wellbeing strategies and skills education.

Our programs help soldiers become more self-aware, better able to take care of their physical and psychological wellbeing and importantly more skilful in relationships with colleagues and those closest to them.

It is an honour and privilege to work with soldiers who are showing courage
of a different kind, as they more toward their whole-person potential.

Image of Steve Johnson at program with Defence

Protecting First Responders’ Wellbeing

First responders are trained to deal with a wide variety of emergencies, everything from accidents, natural disasters, medical emergencies, pandemics and terrorism. First responder roles include law enforcement, paramedics, emergency medical staff, emergency rescue, firefighters and even trained volunteers.

Due to the high level of stress and uncertainty associated with these positions, first responders face unique risks of stress, burnout and challenges to their mental health and wellbeing.

In addition, first responders are at risk of experiencing Secondary Traumatic Stress or Vicarious Trauma as they may “re-experience” past traumas of their own, ‘re-lived’ via their patients or clients.

Our work with first responder organisations enables the development of strategies and solutions to maintain optimal biopsychosocial wellbeing for their teams. We also develop strategies and tools to reduce the risk and impact of Secondary Traumatic Stress.

If you would like to discuss how we can help your first responder organisation, please get in touch.