Keen eye on stress levels
DECADES of frontline experience in the Australian Defence Force then as a police officer has armed Townsville councillor Russ Cook with the tools to help others with mental health.
First-term councillor Russ Cook, who represents Division 5, said it had become second nature to check on his colleagues and mates to see if they needed help with a tough time.
Cr Cook served in the defence force in the 1980s before joining Queensland Police in 1993. He was a general duties officer in Townsville and Charters Towers and held tactical roles in Brisbane.
He retired in 2008 and then went on to work as a youth support co-ordinator, helping disengaged kids get their lives back on track.
Cr Cook said he agreed with Burdekin MP Dale Last; that most police officers have jobs that were a “turning point”.
“There are certain events a police officer remembers that was a turning point in their career and 99 per cent of the time that involves children,” Cr Cook said. “There was a couple for me, two or three, children and domestic violence and drugs, and sometimes it’s a combination of all three.
“I think anything that’s on the frontline dealing with people, in various states of despair, every person goes through those (tough mental times).”
Cr Cook, who has a diploma in psychology from his time working with at-risk youth, is accredited to assist his council colleagues through their struggles.
He is also “heavily involved” in the White Ribbon campaign.
He said the stressors of being a councillor were different from serving on the frontline as a cop or soldier.
“As a councillor, it’s a 24/7 job and you walk away with a 60 hour week easy, it’s a very demanding role, but I know how to pace myself through the week,” he said.
“For every 10 instances where you might not get a win you have that one win and it makes the rest pile away into insignificance.
“I think if people take on and put into place the correct work life balance I think that goes a long way toward keeping you in a good state of mind.”