Society can do more for brave gardai

EVERY day gardai put on their uniform and go to work they are putting their lives on the line.

It’s understandable some may suffer posttraumatic stress disorder from the horrendous sights the job throws at them.

It’s only right the correct resources are in place to help officers struggling to cope.

It’s frightening to think seven gardai ended their own lives last year.

Pressure of the job, exposure to trauma and post traumatic stress disorder are driving the grim suicide rates.

At its annual conference Ciaran O’neill, President of the Garda Representative Association, said the welfare system for officers is far from adequate and that is simply unacceptable.

The fact that the system has received a marking of five out of 10 speaks volumes.

As Garda O’neill said, it’s important for officers to speak among themselves too and let each other know when they are struggling and need a helping hand.

Dr Finian Fallon, who was commissioned by the GRA, stated, the problem is already out of hand when it comes to the level of suicides and the issue needs to be addressed quickly.

One life lost to suicide is one too many. These men and women do so much to protect society, it’s important that we look after them too.