A brand-new initiative is providing Manning residents a way to recognise and thank their local emergency services workers and volunteers.
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Find my Hero Australia has been developed to support the mental health and wellbeing of emergency services workers and volunteers who put their own safety, health and even their lives on the line to protect our people and communities.
By enlisting help from people in the community via social media our brave men and women can be identified and located to ensure messages of thanks will find their way to those individuals to make a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
Emergency Services Health CEO, Michael Oertel said giving and receiving thanks has positive impacts for both people who have been rescued or helped, and emergency responders.
“We’ve already seen people be reconnected with their heroes and it’s been valuable experience for all involved,” Mr Oertel said.
“There is a significant amount of research which shows that being thanked makes people feel valued and aids their future performance of selfless acts. Gratitude is also linked to reducing depression, better sleep, improving self-esteem, and strengthening our ability to cope with adversity.”
Emergency responders are there at our most desperate times, but it’s often not possible for the people they serve to share their appreciation and thanks in these situations where time and urgency is vital.
Significant emergency and crisis situations, such as major floods and fires, have also shown how giving thanks can be healing for communities.
Find My Hero Australia will provide a platform online for people from around the country to share their message of thanks, ask the community for help and get the message to the right person or unit.
To find a local hero, or help someone else find theirs, visit the Find my Hero Australia Facebook page at facebook.com/FindmyHeroAU and use the hashtag #FindmyHeroAU with your story or message of thanks.