Our Commitment to Wellbeing

At Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST), the wellbeing of our members is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that lifesaving is both rewarding and demanding, and we are committed to fostering a culture where every member feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive, both on and off the beach.

SLST’s approach is guided by the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) National Wellbeing Framework, which sets out a vision for a healthy and supportive culture for all members and staff, where wellbeing is valued and promoted. This framework is built on five pillars:

• Protect: Education and capability to prevent harm and build resilience.
• Promote: Leadership and club culture that values psychological safety and inclusion.
• Respond: Timely, coordinated support following critical incidents.
• Recover: Structured support to aid recovery and reengagement.
• Enable: Systems and governance that ensure continuous improvement and shared responsibility.

Our guiding values; safety, trust, respect, caring, and responsibility, shape a community where everyone is welcomed, accepted, and valued. We strive to normalize conversations about wellbeing, challenge stigma, and ensure support is accessible to all members, regardless of their role or background.

Read the National Wellbeing Framework here.

Support Available Anytime

Wellbeing is not just about responding to incidents, it’s about ongoing care and connection. There are a range of support options for members, whether you’re facing a challenging time, worried about someone else, or simply want to check in on your own wellbeing.

Confidential Support Services:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 – 24/7 crisis support and someone to talk to when things feel overwhelming.
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 – Support, information, and resources for anxiety, depression, and general mental health.
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 – Confidential phone and online counselling for children and young people aged 5–25.
• Head to Health: headtohealth.gov.au – A central directory of trusted online mental health resources and services.
• YarnSafe: 13 YARN (13 92 76) – Culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Black Dog Institute – National Emergency Worker Support Service: Online – Free, confidential support for emergency service workers and volunteers.
• Life Saving Chaplaincy Australia: Pastoral care and emotional support via your SLS club.

What Happens After an Incident: Post-Incident Support

The SLST critical incident support process is designed for incidents that occur during defined lifesaving operations, and is initiated by a Manager, Patrol Captain, or Duty Officer. This process ensures members involved in or witnessing a critical incident while on duty receive appropriate support. If an incident falls outside of regular patrol times—such as a member conducting a bystander rescue—the situation will be assessed, and support may be provided under this process depending on the circumstances.

SLST is committed to ensuring members are supported and receive appropriate support following any critical incident. Here’s what you can expect:

Immediate Response:

• Peer Support Activation: After a critical incident, Peer Support Officers (PSOs) may be activated to provide on-scene support and follow-up well checks.
• Operational Debrief: A routine, operational debrief focuses on operational processes and response, delivered by a Duty Officer or Manager.

Structured Follow-Up:

• Wellbeing Information Session: Delivered by a Peer Support Officer or Duty Officer to outline support options and next steps.
• Post-Incident Support Email: Sent to all involved members and operational staff within 24 hours, providing information and resources.
• Well Checks: Phone check-ins by a Peer Support Officer within 48 hours and again within two weeks of the incident.

Ongoing and Specialist Support:

• Referral to Professional Services: Members can access formal psychological support through SLST’s pathways, including Positive Solutions and the Disaster Response Network.
• External Services: Access to national support services (see above) is always available, with no referral required for most.

Other Information:

• Children and Young People: SLST follows strict guidelines for informed consent, confidentiality, and parental involvement when supporting young members. All members, including those aged under 18 years, will have support available for them.

• Major Incident Support: For significant incidents, SLST Management will coordinate additional professional support and work directly with clubs to activate further resources.

• Confidentiality and Privacy: All support is provided confidentially, with respect for members’ privacy and individual needs.

Contact

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

• Email: wellbeing@slst.asn.au
• Phone: 03 6220 1340

Resources

• National Wellbeing Framework 
• Critical Incident Member Wellbeing - Guide and Procedure
• Blackdog Emergency Volunteer Support Service
• LifeLife Tasmania