Military and Emergency Services Health Australia

Leo and the rest of our team wishes everyone a safe and Happy Easter, we will be closed from 1pm Thursday, April 17th and reopen 9am Tuesday, April 22nd. If you are in need of urgent mental health support, you'll find service specific help here: https://lnkd.in/gaPnxbPD [urn:li:organization:784692

Amazing to see the South Australian Premier showing strong support for the ACES Challenge, raising awareness of the mental health challenges faced by our emergency services personnel. The Premier has now passed the baton to Emergency Services Minister Emily Bourke! #ACESChallenge #EmergencyServicesHealth #MentalHealth

We're grateful to the following sponsors for supporting the Anzac Day Challenge football match and the ACES team. 🏈 Without the support of these sponsors, bringing the ACES match to Adelaide each year wouldn't be possible. 🙏 ⚡Clarke Energy for their continued support as the main sponsor. Clarke Energy Australia has been the major sponsor of the ACES Team and Anzac Challenge for several years now. 🧯 Compliant Fire Services is committed to the fire and life safety industry, with the expertise to design, supply, and install fire protection equipment for both life safety and asset protection. 🦒 Purple Giraffe for their support this year as the ACES marketing partner. Their expertise has been invaluable to raising awareness for the mental health of our emergency services workers. At MESHA, we're proud to be returning as a key sponsor of ACES and the Anzac Day Challenge to help raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by our emergency services. MESHA is a charity of The Hospital Research Foundation Group #ANZACDayChallenge #MentalHealthAwareness #SupportOurHeroes #ACES #ClarkeEnergy #MESHA #CompliantFire #PurpleGiraffe 

We'd like to celebrate the 29 newest participants in our Service Cultural Awareness course! On 11 & 14 April, we delivered training to University of South Australia exercise science and related degree students who are undertaking their final placement with the University's groundbreaking WAVES program. The Wellbeing for Veteran and Emergency Services (WAVES) program is a world-first student-delivered program that assists current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Emergency Services who have experienced physical and psychological injury as a result of their service. The program focusses on the use of sport, exercise and participation in community adaptive sports to improve their well-being. A huge thank you to Max Nelson, Jason Bryant and Claudia Caruso of the WAVES program for allowing us to educate this cohort of student trainers.

🥇Congratulations Murray and the entire VR Team!🥇 Our stellar research team took home the 2025 Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Allied and Scientific Health Award for Innovation! Murray Nankivell, Celeste Armstrong and the entire study team were recognised for their groundbreaking study showing the positive well-being impact of virtual reality meditation on inpatient veterans at the Jamie Larcombe Centre, South Australia's Veteran mental health precinct. With one participant stating that one session of VR meditation would have the same impact on an injury that would normally "take two weeks of physiotherapy to get my shoulder relaxed, [VR] was doing it in three minutes." MESHA is a charity of The Hospital Research Foundation Group Kath Whitson Leo Mckenzie Belinda Lange Amy Sinning Dr. Henry Bowen Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Flinders University #congratulations #SALHNAward #research #veteranmentalhealth

Attention first responders in South Australia! 🚒🚓🚑 Sometimes due to injury, mental health or perhaps retirement we need to change roles or step away from that frontline service role we have loved. And the big question is "What now?" MESHA are putting on a FREE 2-day workshop series, guided by our lived experience facilitators and designed to help you transition to a new role in your organization or to civilian life - retirement or a new career. Day 1: MindRight Workshop Identify your goals, values, and strengths. Discover your personal identity and purpose beyond your frontline service role. Day 2: StoryRight Workshop Learn the tools and knowledge to translate your service skills into new roles and civilian language. Create a strong personal narrative to boost employment opportunities, promotions and well-being post-service. Why Attend? Gain tools to explore and understand your identity and purpose beyond frontline service. Learn effective communication methods to engage with civilian audiences. Build a robust professional bio for your resume and LinkedIn. Network with peers and experienced facilitators. Register Now and take the first step towards a successful transition. Limited spots available! 📆 May 26 & 27 2025 📍 Torrens Parade Ground 🕑 9am - 5pm To book visit https://lnkd.in/gBU-ffps #FirstResponders #CareerTransition #ProfessionalDevelopment #MentalHealth #MESHA

Individual and Family Counselling for Military and First Responder Families. If you’re a family member of a current or former veteran or first responder, you know how the job can impact the whole family. That’s why MESHA offers free face-to-face or telehealth Individual and family counselling sessions with our experienced and very friendly psychotherapist, Karin Foxwell. Nearly ten years of working with MESHA, she has a deep understanding of service personnel, service trauma, moral injury and family challenges, including bereavement. She is both kind and very skilled! Karin provides professional support tailored to: ✔️ Building positive coping skills ✔️ Conflict resolution strategies ✔️ Exploring emotions through therapy This is an amazing service available for current and former military and emergency services personnel and their families - individually or together, including children as young as three y.o., partners, couples, and parents with kids. Karin can also use art therapy and sand play in these sessions. To enquire Karin will happily talk you through the process. Tel: 📞 08 7002 0880. 📍 MESHA Offices: Car Park 3, Eucalyptus Lane, Glenside SA ✉️ programs@mesha.org.au MESHA is a charity of The Hospital Research Foundation Group #MESHA #MilitaryHealth #EmergencyServicesHealth #HospitalResearch #HealthAndWellness #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthMatters

New partnership announcement! 👏 We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Flinders University 🎓 Together, we will create opportunities for high-quality research and impactful outcomes for service personnel and their families through the combined efforts of MESHA and Flinders’ University’s multi-disciplinary hub, the Open Door Initiative with Prof Ben Wadham and his team.  This collaboration aligns with both organisations' shared focus on the wellbeing of our service communities. Head of THRF Group – MESHA Dr Karen May said: “This partnership will open many doors for us to work together and improve research-backed outcomes for those who serve and their families.” We look forward to sharing more with you soon! 💡

🎨Discover the Power of Art for Well-being & Self-Expression 🎨 Have you wanted to try art but weren't sure where to start? This program isn't about making "perfect" artwork - it's about the process of creating! Each week, you'll explore different art techniques in a friendly environment. Art Tutor Kaz Pedersen is running a 4-week program for emergency services personnel using art as a therapeutic approach to self-expression and relaxation. 🎨 No experience needed – this is about the process, not perfection. 🧑🎨 Guided sessions introducing different art techniques in a welcoming environment. ✅ Proven benefits – art can help reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and foster creativity. 🧰 All materials provided – simply bring yourself and an open mind. Whether you’re new to art or looking for a creative outlet, this program offers a chance to unwind, explore, and connect through creativity. 📅 Limited spaces available – register now! https://lnkd.in/gDNaMQsD MESHA is a charity of The Hospital Research Foundation Group. #MESHA #EmergencyServicesHealth #FirstResponderSupport 

🎉 We are excited to announce that we have received the 2025 SA Life Award from Suicide Prevention Australia in the Innovative Practice and Research category for our Support after First Responder and Military Suicide Study! 🎉 This initiative aims to establish a national framework to support families and co-workers of military and emergency service personnel who have died by suicide. Given the high exposure to suicide within these communities and the severe lack of tailored support services, this initiative is crucial. By bringing together key stakeholders and organizations across Australia, we are co-designing and executing a multi-stage project that considers pre-existing international literature and the Australian context. This work is impacting national policy change, service delivery, and the ongoing development of practical resources. Thank you to everyone involved in making this possible! Together, we are making a difference. 💙 #Innovation #Research #SuicidePrevention #Support #FirstResponders #Military #MentalHealth #Community