ABC News reported how changes are impacting on the mental health of Australian Police. On the 29th May police officer Brett Forde was shot dead by gunman Rick Maddison who fired at police in an overnight standoff.
In a separate incident, Sergeant Brendan Poustie was hit by a car while he was jogging and soon after died in hospital. He had worked for 15 years in the police force.
Speaking to ABC News Bruce Graydon managing director of Blue HOPE Australia stated, “Whenever a police officer suffers a loss, whether you know that police officer or not, you feel a little bit of that as part of the police family.”
The Risk & Urgency For Police to Seek Help
Police officers are at risk of developing mental illness due to the heavy stress factors within their jobs which may include the loss of a work mate in the line of duty which is often felt right across the police force.
Those on the front line are usually witnesses to some of the worst tragedies we can imagine in life and in their jobs see the worst of humanity. They’re amongst the first on the scene of tragic accidents, suicides, shootings and see the aftermath of all sorts of violence.
Although police officers are a tough resilient bunch, they too need mental health support and there’s no shame in seeking help. There is no room for stigma when lives are at risk.
Daily Telegraph reported; 1300 NSW officers were medically discharged with psychological and physiological issues in just five years. “During the 2011-12 financial year alone, more than 650 officers left the force with mental health issues, with 158 being discharged in 2015-16.”
Around 110 emergency workers suicided between July 2000 and December 2012.
Blue HOPE Australia can be contacted on 1300 00 BLUE or 1300 002 583.
aifc Admin.
Sources
Photo: Australian Federal Police, file photo
Where to Find Help
Talk to your doctor who can point you in the right direction.
Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.
Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.
Free 24/7 Counselling Services
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
Studying at aifc
Have you thought about counselling? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
- At The beginning of each year in February.
- Mid-Year courses commence in July.
Enrolments open approximately 3 months prior the courses commencing. Enquire now and fill out the form with your details to receive course information by email.
Note: A Masters course in Christian counselling will be introduced in 2018.
Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397
Have you thought about becoming a qualified counsellor? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God's love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
Enrolment Season - opens approximately 2 months prior to our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.
We also offer two modes of study:
A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.