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Overview
It’s important for police families to stay engaged and seek support via peer to peer groups or through services and resources. Partners of police can often find friendship and understanding from each other especially in difficult times or when partners are away or working extended hours. Children of police will also benefit from social activities with other police families where they can enjoy friendships and activities.
Your local area command may have information about family days and events or groups operating in your local area. There are also a number of links via this site to guide you to groups or resources.
If there are no relevant services in your area perhaps think about starting a police family social group where you can catch up with partners or with the extended family. Closed Facebook groups or pages are easy to administer and can be a great way to find police families in your area. Locating at least two to three interested parties to assist with administration is often a great way to develop a Facebook page or group which facilitates a conversation, provides helpful links and suggestions as well as advertise social events.
For former officers joining your local retired and former police association will open up social engagement for both the former officer and their partner as most associations hold regular monthly meetings, social outings, welfare services and fund raisers.
Step-By-Step
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.
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".
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
Content for family support
03 Apr 2022
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.
03 Apr 2022
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.
03 Apr 2022
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.
03 Apr 2022
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.
22 Sep 2021
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.
11 Aug 2020
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.
03 Apr 2022
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.
17 Nov 2021
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.
03 Apr 2022
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.
03 Apr 2022
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.
03 Apr 2022
Retired Police Officers Association South Australia
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.
03 Apr 2022
Retired Police Officers Association Western Australia
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.
20 Mar 2022
SANE - Talking about suicide
A selection of factsheets, articles, personal stories and video's to help you talk to and support someone thinking about suicide from Sane Australia.
17 Nov 2021
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.
03 Apr 2022
South Australia 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.
03 Apr 2022
South Australia Police Legacy
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.
21 Oct 2021
Standby – Support after suicide
24-hour telephone and counselling support and resources for individuals, families, friends, witnesses, first responders and service providers who have been impacted by suicide.
