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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
17 Nov 2021
Suicide Callback Service
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.
03 Apr 2022
Tasmania 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.
17 Nov 2021
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Located in Victoria, the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement provides support, programs, workshops, online forums, resources and counselling for individuals and families affected by grief and bereavement whether it be from the death of a loved one or for those suffering illness, infertility or dealing with life challenges.
14 Nov 2022
The Blue knot Foundation – National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma
Support Services for survivors and supporters of people living with or effected by complex trauma including resources to empower recovery via a helpline, redress services for those effected by institutionalized child sexual abuse and a national counselling and referral service for disability including educational workshops and resources.
03 Apr 2022
The Change Room
Founded in 2016, this program aims to provide a combination of mental health and resilience training to those people living with physical and emotional injury. With a mix of mentors who include former elite sportsman and physical intelligence experts programs cover information relating to health, nutrition and exercise as a way to heal.
03 Apr 2022
TPAV: The Police Association of Victoria
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.
04 Jul 2024
Trojans Trek
Trojans Trek assists police and veterans to deal with their mental health issues via a peer led wilderness experience.
03 Apr 2022
UNOPAA: United Nations and Overseas Policing Association of Australia
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.
05 Jun 2022
Vicarious Trauma
Vicarious trauma by way of exposures to the traumatic experiences of others can erode your sense of self and change the way you view the world.
03 Apr 2022
Victoria 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
Victoria 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.
03 Apr 2022
Victoria Retired Police Association
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
WAPU: Western Australian 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
Western Australia Police Force - EAP Provider – Converge International
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
Western 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.
