Addressing a Support Gap for Children
The Code 9 Foundation has released ‘My Mum, My Hero’, a children’s book aimed at helping families of female first responders discuss the impacts of PTSD and mental health injuries. This book seeks to fill a crucial gap in existing resources by focusing on the experiences of mothers in frontline roles.
Research by Beyond Blue’s ‘Answering the Call’ study highlights that 1 in 10 currently serving first responders experience probable PTSD, with the rate increasing to 1 in 4 among former responders. More than a third report high psychological distress, underlining the mental health challenges in this field.
Women now constitute over half of Australia’s paramedic workforce, nearly one-third of police officers, about 10% of firefighters, and the majority of 000 operators. Despite this, resources to help children understand the emotional toll of frontline work have traditionally focused on fathers.
The Role of ‘My Mum, My Hero’
Victoria Police Sergeant and Code 9 Foundation Treasurer Madeline Gillard noted the book’s importance, saying, “First responders see things most people will never have to experience. But when you have children, one of the hardest things can be explaining why you might sometimes seem different after difficult incidents at work.”
Sergeant Jaime Coles added, “Children are incredibly perceptive. They notice when their parent is tired, when they’ve had a difficult shift, or when something is weighing on them. Resources like this help children understand that what their mum does is important, but that they’re also supported and never alone.”
The Code 9 Foundation, a volunteer-run organisation, supports over 120,000 professional first responders in Australia and their families. ‘My Mum, My Hero’ provides a vital tool for families to initiate conversations and assure children that their mothers, despite the challenges, remain their heroes.
As more women take on frontline emergency roles across Australia, the book is timely. It acknowledges the growing number of mothers serving on the frontline of Australia’s emergency response system. The book’s release coincides with ongoing research highlighting the mental health toll faced by these workers.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:57 am
