GB launches health and wellbeing program for Tasmanian emergency services workforce

Gallagher Bassett (GB), in partnership with the Department of Police, Fire & Emergency Management (DPFEM), and Ambulance Tasmania, has rolled out a health and wellbeing program designed specifically for the emergency services workforce.

GB’s MyPulse is a free purpose-built program designed to facilitate positive behavioural change, and increase the health and wellbeing literacy of the Tasmanian emergency services workforce, allowing them to “check in” on their health and wellbeing and access ongoing support for physical and psychological wellbeing.

The bespoke offering includes:

• online educational modules to help understand, improve and maintain physical and mental health and wellbeing;
• face-to-face educational sessions aimed at increasing physical and mental health wellbeing literacy;
• face-to-face health clinic consultations measuring individual physical health indicators; and
• online health screens, including screens for physical health, mental health and cancer (Firefighters only), with follow-up personalised coaching support for eligible employees.

“We know that one in three emergency services workers experience high or very high psychological distress, compared to one in eight among all Australian adults,” said John McNamara, Australian CEO.

“The nature of emergency services work can impact the physical and mental health of employees. Ensuring all employees feel supported and have access to a range of services, resources, and learning modules to manage their long-term health and wellbeing is very important to us. Through consultation activities conducted by DPFEM during the development of MyPulse, we found emergency services employees had a desire to change and find better ways to improve their health and wellbeing. MyPulse can now help them on that journey towards better health, now and in the future.”