Smashing the Stigma of Emergency Service PTSD One Pie at a Time
Take the challenge. Smash the stigma. #PIE4PTSD
Emergency service workers and volunteers show up on the worst days of our lives — running into danger, saving lives, and supporting our communities. But their job comes with invisible wounds. PTSD and mental health challenges impact far too many of our frontline heroes.
Every 4.3 weeks, one emergency service worker in Australia dies by suicide and Emergency Service workers and volunteers are three times more likely to suffer psychological distress than the general population, that doubles with more than 10 years of service. We’re here to change that one pie at a time.
Pie in the Face for PTSD is a fundraising and awareness campaign by Australian registered charity Emerge & See, a not-for-profit charity supporting emergency service workers and volunteers living with PTSD. Through light-hearted fun, we aim to raise funds and smash the stigma around mental illness in the emergency services community.
A pie in the face is unexpected and messy, just like PTSD can feel in our Emergency Service community. Join us from 27 May to 27 June and get involved in the messiness, connect, share some pies and laughter with your friends, family, colleagues, team mates and peers by accepting the challenging and smashing a PIE4PTSD.
Share your PIE smashing across your social media and be sure to tag @emergeandseenswandact and using the hashtags #PIE4PTSD and #neverjustanumber
Check out HOW TO HOST A PIE DAY if you are keen to get your community together for a cause.
GET INVOLVED
SET IT.
RAISE IT.
SMASH IT
Your way. Your people. Your impact.
1. Take the Challenge on Your Own
Set up your individual or team fundraising page and pledge to take a pie in the face once your target is reached.
2. Challenge a Mate, Colleague or Rival
Take it on yourself, or bring others into the challenge.
Get your mates, workplace, sporting club, or community involved.
Take part in a challenge or Challenge a boss. Call out a rival. Go head-to-head.
Back the Ultimate Rivalry
Pie of Origin
- QLD vs NSW.
- Wally vs MG.
- Maroon vs Blue.
Pick your side. Back your legend. Make it count.
Watch the live Pie Chart as the rivalry builds, then see one smash the other in the face with a pie LIVE.
3. Host a Pie Day
Not into the mess? You can still get involved in a meaningful way. Host a morning tea, lunch, or afternoon event featuring all kinds of pies.
Perfect for:
- Workplaces
- Schools
- Cafes & small businesses
- Sporting clubs
- Community groups
4. Bake or Sell PIES4PTSD
Are you a cafe, bakery or pie shop?
Create a PIE4PTSD special and donate proceeds during the campaign.
Turn your menu into impact.
5. Share the Mayhem
Film it. Post it. Tag it.
Use:
#PIE4PTSD #neverjustanumber #SmashTheStigma #PieOfOrigin
@emergeandseenswandact
Let’s take this nationwide.
OUR WHY
Emergency service workers and volunteers show up on the worst days of our lives running toward danger, saving lives, and holding our communities together.
But behind the uniform, there are invisible wounds.
PTSD and mental health challenges impact far too many of our frontline heroes often long after the sirens stop.
THE REALITY
Every 4.3 weeks, one emergency service worker in Australia dies by suicide.
Emergency service workers and volunteers are three times more likely to experience psychological distress than the general population — and that risk doubles after 10+ years of service.
They are never just a number. We’re here to change that, one pie at a time.
PIE4PTSD (Pie in the Face for PTSD) is a national fundraising and awareness campaign by Australian registered charity Emerge & See, a peer-led organisation supporting emergency service workers and volunteers living with PTSD, and their families.
Through light-hearted, messy, and unexpected moments, we’re sparking real conversations, raising vital funds, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health in the emergency services community.
Because sometimes the hardest conversations need a different way in.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
A pie in the face is unexpected. It’s messy.
And in many ways, that’s exactly what PTSD can feel like for those living with it.
From 27 May to 27 June, we’re inviting individuals, teams, workplaces and communities to step into the mess, get involved, and make a difference.
Challenge your mates. Rally your team. Bring your community together.
Take the pie. Share the moment. Start the conversation.
SHARE THE MOMENT
Tag @emergeandseenswandact
Use #PIE4PTSD #neverjustanumber #SmashTheStigma and #PieofOrigin
The messier, the better. Let’s make it count.
NOT INTO THE MESS?
You can still be part of something meaningful.
Host a PIE Afternoon Tea (link to Host a Pie Day page)
Bring your people together. Start the conversation. Support the cause — your way.
THE IMPACT YOUR PIE HAS
(Other than to your face)
PIE OF ORIGIN CHAMPION
DONATE & WIN
Donate $100 or more and you’ll automatically go into the draw to WIN:
State of Origin III VIP Experience
Including:
- 2 x VIP Tickets at Suncorp Stadium
- Flights
- Pre-game hospitality
- Premium food & beverages
- $500 Webjet gift card
T&Cs apply.
THE BIGGER IMPACT
PIE4PTSD is about more than a moment.
It’s about helping emergency service workers and volunteers:
Emerge & See THEIR VALUE
Emerge & See THEIR SKILLS & POTENTIAL
Emerge & See CONNECTION
Emerge & See HOPE
Emerge & See A FUTURE BEYOND INJURY
TAKE THE PIE. START THE CONVERSATION. SAVE A LIFE.
You can help change the story for those who have shown up for all of us.
