Overview
Police officers work in an environment that is often stressful and physically demanding which means our body’s natural response is to produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. When this natural response becomes unregulated due to long term exposure to stress it can and sometimes does lead to anxiety.
Likewise, family members of police officers may also feel stressed when living with a loved one who is working long hours, rotating shifts and who may be experiencing trauma in the workplace. The added pressures of a partner being away from home in possibly dangerous working environments can impact on family via regularly feeling worried and covering extra home commitments which add further stress on partners and sometimes children.
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Feelings of stress will accordingly come and go and may dissipate when the body moves into the rest and restore mode where the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in. Simply stopping, taking a few long slow breaths, meditating or talking about the stressful situation or thoughts to a trusted colleague, friend or family member may resolve the physical feelings of anxiety however the impact of everyday work life combined with family issues and life pressures may result in the need to seek professional help.
There are several avenues to seeking support, attending your GP at the first instance and discussing the issues around work life balance will assist your doctor to assess what type of support may be required. A referral via a mental health plan is an option to commence a series of counselling sessions preferably with a suitably trauma informed clinician who understands police culture.
Otherwise, contacting your state jurisdiction Employee Assistance Program can also assist with counselling or making an appointment to speak with your state chaplaincy service can be helpful.
To identify when anxiety may be an issue and it might be appropriate to seek further assistance the following list of symptoms and signs can be helpful to look out for:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Unnecessary worries or concerns that continue to pop into your mind
- Difficulty falling to sleep or staying asleep
- A general feeling of being unable to relax
- Keeping yourself busy all the time
- Avoiding places or people
- Feeling irritable, annoyed or restless
- Avoiding family and friends
- Feeling shaky or experiencing sweaty palms
- Frequent headaches, migraines or muscle aches
- Feeling your heart racing
- Shortness of breath
- Panic attacks
- Feelings of impending doom
Step-By-Step
When should I consider seeing my GP?
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Anxiety starts to impact your daily work and home life
Feelings of panic become noticeable to the point where you can't relax or you feel you need to run away
You notice your heart pounding, shortness of breath and a general feeling of impending doom
What is the next steps when seeing my GP?
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Making an appointment with your GP and explaining your symptoms will assist your Doctor to understand your feelings and what may be the underlying cause
Your GP will generally ask you to fill out a number of questionnaires to assist with assessing your condition
You may then be referred to an appropriate health clinician for further diagnosis, medication or counselling
In the meantime, it may help to reduce Caffeine, Alcohol and Non Prescription Medication
Content for anxiety or depression
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Police Health
Private health insurance run by police for police including mental health, physical health, financial health, relationship and family health and career health
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Police Legacy Tasmania
Police Legacy provide professional and compassionate support to families who have suffered a loss through the provision of benefits and services. Children who have lost a parent may benefit from camps, scholarships, trust funds and regular social engagement which is also extended to partners and parents. Each jurisdiction has independent services which may differ from state to state.
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Police Post Trauma Support Group Inc (NSW)
Peer to Peer trauma support and referrals for NSW serving and former police and their families, monthly face to face meetings, crises intervention, chaplaincy, and spouse support services via an independent non for profit charity. Financial support is also available for necessitous circumstances and to attend mental health programs for those police and families without insurance cover.
![Police Veterans Victoria logo](https://policecareaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/PVV-logo-300x188.jpg)
Police Veterans Victoria
Police Veterans Victoria is a dedicated service focused on improving mental health amongst police veterans and their families via peer to peer support.
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Police Wife Chronicles
Police Wife Chronicles based in NSW reaches out to female partners of police via regular blogs and information about living with a loved one who works in policing.
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Qld Retired Police Association Inc.
Staying connected to the police family by joining your local retired and former police association may be helpful in maintaining social connection and positive mental health outcomes. Each state jurisdiction has a retired and former police association where regular monthly meetings and social events assist with staying in touch with former colleagues.
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QPCOUE: Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union
All Australian Police jurisdictions have Police Unions who provide Industrial Relations, Financial and in some state’s welfare and mental health support and services. Assistance for issues relating to workers compensation, legal matters, necessitous circumstances, and career transition may also be available through your state union. Associate membership for former officers is another way to stay connected to support and services post policing.
![Queensland Police Union- Unity is Strength](https://policecareaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/QLD.png)
QPU: Queensland Police Union
All Australian Police jurisdictions have Police Unions who provide Industrial Relations, Financial and in some state’s welfare and mental health support and services. Assistance for issues relating to workers compensation, legal matters, necessitous circumstances, and career transition may also be available through your state union. Associate membership for former officers is another way to stay connected to support and services post policing.
![](https://policecareaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/QP.png)
Queensland Police
Each individual state police jurisdictions will have mental health services for serving police which should include an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) along with other specific services. This may include EAP for transitioning police, former police up to 12 months and services for families. Career Transition services may also be included in some jurisdictions as moving into a new career after serving in the police force impacts mental health outcomes.
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Quest for Life Foundation
Located at Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands of NSW, the Quest for Life Centre conducts monthly 5 day residential moving beyond trauma programs as an alternative for police living with trauma to hospital inpatient care. Programs provide educational person-centered education via a holistic approach based on the neuroscience of the brain and the latest evidenced based holistic health and healing modalities. An immersive 4 week Healing Trauma program is due to commence in late 2022. Programs such as the Healing your Life, living with cancer, loss after the suicide of a loved one, living with a brain injury or aging related illness are suitable for family members. Outreach programs are also conducted throughout NSW.
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R U OK?
RUOK provides the resources and people to assist our community to connect with one another by learning how to support people around us who may be struggling with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide. Resources are available both in the physical and digital format along with program ambassadors who are often the voice of lived experience, events, and ongoing research.
![Reachout logo](https://policecareaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Reachout-logo.png)
Reachout Australia
An online mental health service for young people and parents providing peer to peer support, pathways to professional help, resources and forums to assist teenagers and under 25’s to stay safe. For parents services include digital information and resources on parenting teenagers, a confidential supportive online forum to discuss issues, coaching with a parental expert, building confidence and skills.
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia provide a number of national services Australia wide to families, individuals and communities requiring support with relationships which may include, counselling, family support, domestic violence where they require assistance with safety and trauma, services for children and young people as well as services for older Australians looking for assistance with health, safety and wellbeing.
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Retired and Former Police Association of NSW
Staying connected to the police family by joining your local retired and former police association may be helpful in maintaining social connection and positive mental health outcomes. Each state jurisdiction has a retired and former police association where regular monthly meetings and social events assist with staying in touch with former colleagues.
![](https://policecareaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/taspolice-300x300.jpg)
Retired Police Association of Tasmania
Staying connected to the police family by joining your local retired and former police association may be helpful in maintaining social connection and positive mental health outcomes. Each state jurisdiction has a retired and former police association where regular monthly meetings and social events assist with staying in touch with former colleagues.