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Family Support

Leaving the police or considering transitioning can be a difficult time, it often involves feelings of identity loss, fear, isolation and overwhelm. For those struggling with mental and physical health issues as well as career transition distress, it’s a time to reach out for support as doing it alone can be isolating and unhelpful. There are many opportunities for former police, it’s just a matter of finding the best support, programs, care and resources to assist you to navigate this challenging time. Blue Hub is here to assist you to find beneficial information, support, strategies, and resources to assist with moving into the next phase of your life whether it be into a new and exciting career or enjoying a happy and healthy retirement.

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1

Grief and Loss

What is grief?

Grief is a profound and complex series of mixed emotions that follow the loss of a loved one in your life. It can be someone you loved very deeply, your absolute everything, or someone you knew in your community. It can be expected or unexpected. Either way, it can affect you and your family members, friends, colleagues and the extended community in a range of ways.

2

Domestic and Family Violence

Women and men frequently conceal the consequences of physical violence by hiding injuries or making excuses for bruises – or worse. It’s a strange kind of loyalty that stops people from telling parents, siblings or anyone about what’s happening "behind closed doors".

3

Carers Support and Wellbeing, Quest for Life resources

Are you an exhausted career?

KEEP HEALTHY AND ACTIVE
Exercise regularly – 20 minutes daily will help you sustain the physical demands of caring and provide a break from your daily activities
Eat regular, healthy meals to fuel the strength and stamina you need for caring
Get enough sleep – tiredness and exhaustion increase the stress of caring
Look after your back – if you need to lift the person you’re caring for, get professional advice on the safest way to do so. Is there equipment that can help?
Talk to your GP about your caring role and the demands it makes on you.

Helpful Links

  • Fortem Australia
  • Current police only helpful link
  • absolute internal link

Content for family support

17 Nov 2021

Carers Australia

Carers Australia is the National Peak body advocating, supporting and providing services and resources for people filling roles as unpaid carers including programs across Australia. These programs and services are applicable to carers looking after the needs of loved ones with both physical and mental disabilities.

Visit the Carers Australia website
YOUTUBE

Chaplaincy

Anxiety or Depression

Visit the Chaplaincy website
03 Apr 2022

Children of Parents With a Mental Illness (COPMI)

Resources and services for parents and the children of parents with a mental illness. Tips and resources on how to parent with a mental illness and understanding your health needs with links to online forums, services and supports and a community services directory.

Visit the Children of Parents With a Mental Illness (COPMI) website
26 Jun 2024

Code 9 Foundation

Code 9 is a peer-to-peer support group run by volunteers assisting serving and former police and their families who are living with mental health challenges.

Visit the Code 9 Foundation website
06 May 2022

Depression

Depression is commonly experienced when prolonged and intense feelings of sadness, low mood and energy levels persists for more than 2 weeks, and it becomes difficult to function when attending to usual daily tasks.

Suicidal Thoughts

Visit the Depression website
Doing it tough logo 14 Jun 2022

Doing it Tough

Doing it Tough? makes it easier for men to find what they are looking for – whether services,
resources and other support in their local community, or in extended networks, or via preferred

organisations. Individuals are able to search the platform via various filters that fit their needs
including cultural, location, age, and industry profiles.

Visit the Doing it Tough website
20 Aug 2024

Due South

Due South is a free wellness initiative for veterans and first responders, providing a unique space to recharge, reconnect, and focus on wellbeing in tranquil, natural settings in Tasmania.

Visit the Due South website
03 Apr 2022

Eagles Rest

Located on a 230-acre property near Yass NSW, Eagles Rest supports Police, Emergency Services and Defence as well as their families to rest, reflect and restore in a retreat environment away from the pressures of society and workplace burnout. Cost is by way of donation as well as covering basic needs. Activities include, bush walking, low and high ropes, team building and flying fox.

Visit the Eagles Rest website
20 Aug 2024

Everymind

Everymind is a leading institute dedicated to the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide.  Everymind runs several programs which may be helpful for serving and former police, and their families and friends including;

Minds Together is for partners, spouses, family members, friends and colleagues who support someone experiencing mental health concerns or suicidal distress in Australia. Our programs and resources will help you support your family member or friend and will also help you look after yourself so you can be there for them. Visit the Minds Together portal

Visit the Everymind website
30 Mar 2022

Family breakdown and distress

Police Families are integral in supporting their loved one working in policing environments however police work may take a toll on the family unit.

Burn out & Compassion Fatigue

Visit the Family breakdown and distress website
Interviewee talking to off camera interviewer YOUTUBE

Former Officer Lived Experience of PTS and Career Transition part 1

Anxiety or Depression

Visit the Former Officer Lived Experience of PTS and Career Transition part 1 website
03 Apr 2022

Head to Health

Digital mental health services provided by the Australian Department of Health focusing on apps, online programs, online forums and phone services for people seeking mental health information for themselves or for someone they love.

Visit the Head to Health website
17 Nov 2021

Injured Workers Support

Injured workers support provides Australia wide information and resources to people injured in the workplace. Resources include, your rights, workers compensation handbooks, networks and support services, fact sheets and useful links.

Visit the Injured Workers Support website
21 Oct 2021

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is a confidential and free 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people and children from the ages of 5 to 25 which aims to keep young people free from harm. Website Information on safety for children and parents resources provide support when emotional help is needed at any critical moment.

Visit the Kids Helpline website
17 Nov 2021

Kookaburra Kids Foundation

Kookaburra Kids provides resources, programs, activity days, connectivity and statewide residential camps for children living in families impacted by mental illness. Children learn about mental illness via chat groups, connecting with others experiencing similar commonalities and participating in fun activities.

Visit the Kookaburra Kids Foundation website
21 Oct 2021

Lifeline Australia

Lifeline provides 24/7 telephone crises and suicide prevention support to people feeling isolated, worried, anxious or having a difficult time. Information and support is also available for friends or loved ones with concerns about how to talk to or support someone in crises or who might be at risk of self-harm. Chat and text services are also available between 12pm and 6am daily with downloadable resources available via their website.

Visit the Lifeline Australia website
05 Jun 2023

Lullaby Sleep

Visit the Lullaby Sleep website
17 Nov 2021

Man Therapy

Resources including videos on topics that effect men or those with a man in their life they are concerned about. Topics include, addictions, anxiety, depression, divorce, relationship and sex, teenage children’s issues, sleep, trauma, grief and anger. First responders are included in videos and resources.

Visit the Man Therapy website
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Content related to family support

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Anxiety or Depression

anxiety excerpt

Pathways to help

Five introductory videos with Ernst Meyer – Psychotherapist and former officer and one introductory video with Det Inspector Gary Raymond Retired on the work of Chaplains.

Transitioning and former officers

For police considering a career transition who want to learn more about supporting themselves through the process.

For crisis care attend your closest hospital emergency department or contact 000 000

© 2025 Police Care Privacy Policy Site by Osky

This website has been established to provide information to serving and former police along with their families and friends on health and wellbeing, mental health, career transition, and community engagement.

This website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and when making decisions about personal circumstances always seek the advice of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional nor should professional medical advice be disregarded or delayed due to any information contained on this website.

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