Police embrace PTSD tips to help personnel

A NATIONAL report says Australian police, ambulance, fire services and defence agencies must foster a culture of acceptance around mental illness to combat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Victoria Police was one of 20 organisations involved in a landmark report on PTSD among first responders, developed by think tank Australia 21 and support service Fearless.

The When helping hurts: PTSD in first responders report acknowledges the prevalence of stress among members of the police, ambulance, fire and defence force personnel, and explores ways to prevent and manage the issue.

The report follows a Geelong Advertiser investigation into the effect of mental illness on local police.

Freedom of Information data revealed mental stress and illness was keeping Geelong police off the street for an average of 12 days every year.

According to the data, Geelong’s police officers took more than 14,000 days of sick and stress leave over the past five years.

Retired Geelong Senior Sergeant Paul Robson said last week more “boots on the ground” officers needed to be involved in supporting other members.

This view was backed up by the report, which recommends an emphasis on peoplefocused leadership across all levels.

It also calls for agencies to ensure all personnel who can no long serve be given “appropriate recognition at the time of their separation”.

“For PTSD victims who cannot continue with their chosen career, the pain and suffering of the injury and its treatment are made worse by the loss of identity that comes with separation from a closeknit community with a deep sense of purpose and strong bonds,” the report states.

“Lack of recognition after separation was contrasted with the ongoing recognition accorded to military veterans.”

Commander Shane Cole, from Victoria Police’s health safety and deployment division, was a participant and said Victoria Police was well advanced in implementing the vast majority of recommendations because of work on the organisation’s existing mental health review.

“In 2016 we accepted and commenced work on the recommendations of our own Victoria Police mental health review, many of which align with the findings of this new report, including better training for managers and leaders and a case management system for people with mental health issues,” Mr Cole said.

“While we still have a way to go, it’s clear Victoria Police is on the right path to improving the mental health of our organisation and supporting our people.”