Championing Change: One Woman's Mission to Support First Responder Families

In the world of workers' compensation, where bureaucracy often overshadows human stories, Sarah Ubrien stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Her journey is not just a personal narrative, but a powerful testament to resilience, advocacy, and the urgent need for systemic change.

A Family's Journey Through Trauma

Sarah's path to advocacy began in her own home. Her husband Matt, a former NSW Police Sergeant and Fire + Rescue NSW Firefighter, was medically retired in 2022 after being diagnosed with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and moral injury. What followed was not just a medical challenge, but a complex navigation through an adversarial workers' compensation system that brought its own layer of trauma.

This experience opened Sarah's eyes to a critical issue: the impact of psychological workplace injuries extends far beyond the individual. It affects families, friends, and entire support networks.

From Personal Experience to Passionate Advocacy

Driven by her lived experience, Sarah has become a champion for first responder families. Together with a friend who shares similar experiences, she co-founded Living Alongside, a charity dedicated to supporting those living with and supporting loved ones with psychological workplace injuries.

The organization's mission is multi-faceted:

• Advocate for first responder families and friends

• Raise awareness about the psychological impacts of first responder service

• Provide practical support and education

• Push for legislative and policy improvements

  
  

A Voice for the Unheard

Sarah's approach is rooted in the power of lived experience. By sharing her family's story, she aims to:

• Help others feel seen and validated

• Provide insights into the complexities of first responder mental health

• Create connections among those experiencing similar challenges

  
  

An Upcoming Milestone: The HEAL Gathering

On June 1, 2025, Sarah will add her voice to the inaugural HEAL gathering, a pivotal event in the workers' compensation industry. This isn't just another conference – it's a call to action. HEAL challenges professionals to move beyond bureaucratic processes and focus on human healing.

The gathering represents a crucial opportunity to:

• Confront systemic issues in workers' compensation

• Unite injured workers and their families

• Explore practical ways to create a more compassionate support system

A Message of Hope and Change

Sarah's story is a powerful reminder that behind every workplace injury is a human story. Her work through Living Alongside demonstrates that with empathy, understanding, and collective action, we can transform systems that have long prioritized paperwork over people.

As she prepares to speak at HEAL, her message is clear: it's time for a gentler, more human-centered approach to supporting our first responders and their families.