Military and first responder culture shapes members' behaviour and identity through values, norms, rituals and language. These behaviours are enculturated during intensive basic training and re-enforced through training reform programs. Embracing these norms provides social support, status, and well-being, fostering purpose and belonging. These environments create strong bonds and pseudo-familial relationships, leading to identity fusion where group welfare is prioritized. This culture forms a core service identity, which can have positive and negative impacts on mental health, relationships, and future careers. Understanding this identity's influence is crucial for service personnel's well-being, with or without diagnosable mental health issues. Cultural competency in working with these populations improves care engagement and health outcomes, potentially reducing future care needs. There is a recognized lack of cultural competency among civilian providers, employers, and government staff in addressing military and first responder needs.

Culturally informed services, designed and delivered with lived experience peers, can address this need for awareness not only within civilian populations, but also for the service personnel themselves. Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, part of the Hospital Research Foundation Group, offers programs that increase awareness of how service culture and identity impact the lives of service personnel and their families.

Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Recognise the impact of military and first responder culture on identity and wellbeing.

2. Emphasise the need for cross-cultural awareness in addressing military and first responder needs.

3. Highlight the role of culturally informed services facilitated by lived experience peers in enhancing engagement and support for service personnel.

Military and first responder culture shapes members' behaviour and identity through values, norms, rituals and language. These behaviours are enculturated during intensive basic training and re-enforced through training reform programs. Embracing these norms provides social support, status, and well-being, fostering purpose and belonging. These environments create strong bonds and pseudo-familial relationships, leading to identity fusion where group welfare is prioritized. This culture forms a core service identity, which can have positive and negative impacts on mental health, relationships, and future careers. Understanding this identity's influence is crucial for service personnel's well-being, with or without diagnosable mental health issues. Cultural competency in working with these populations improves care engagement and health outcomes, potentially reducing future care needs. There is a recognized lack of cultural competency among civilian providers, employers, and government staff in addressing military and first responder needs.

Culturally informed services, designed and delivered with lived experience peers, can address this need for awareness not only within civilian populations, but also for the service personnel themselves. Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, part of the Hospital Research Foundation Group, offers programs that increase awareness of how service culture and identity impact the lives of service personnel and their families.

Presentation Key Learnings

1. Recognise the impact of military and first responder culture on identity and wellbeing.
2. Emphasise the need for cross-cultural awareness in addressing military and first responder needs.
3. Highlight the role of culturally informed services facilitated by lived experience peers in enhancing engagement and support for service personnel.