Content for friends of police officers

The first step to take when feeling overwhelmed or experiencing those niggling feelings of something isn’t quite right is to visit your GP. A general chat about your overall physical and mental health may indicate further investigation is warranted. This may include a series of tests to rule out physical issues and/or completing a mental health assessment. If your GP feels it would be helpful, you will be given a mental health plan and a referral to see a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Research based centre for post traumatic health education, services and materials for industry best practice including the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder, Posttraumtic Stress Disorder and Complex PTSD. Specific services and links are available to Victorian and AFP police via the Bluehub.

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.

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.

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.

A selection of factsheets, articles, personal stories and video's to help you talk to and support someone thinking about suicide from Sane Australia.

Sane Australia provides a national freecall and online counselling service for people concerned about complex mental health issues as well as peer to peer support services, information, resources, and blogs.

The SleepHub provides information, tools and tips from the Sleep Specialists.

24-hour telephone and counselling support and resources for individuals, families, friends, witnesses, first responders and service providers who have been impacted by suicide.

The suicide callback service provides national 24/7 online and phone counselling, advice, support and resources for anyone experiencing emotional or mental health issues who are at risk of suicide. Support services and resources are also available for family and friends of those living with emotional or mental health challenges or who are bereaved by suicide.