Joining forces to prevent suicide among our police officers

Emergency services across the Coast are banning together to put an end to police suicide.

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED: Senior Sergeant Kim Cavell and QFES Acting Assistant Commissioner Michelle Young present Andrew Ayres with a $1400 cheque. Picture: Eden Boyd

EMERGENCY services across the Coast are banding together to put an end to police suicide.

Senior Sergeant Kim Cavell said no matter the uniform, those who put their lives on the line for us every day are subject to traumatic experiences.

That's why she, along with 140 other attendees, raised $1400 for Blue Hope at an International Women's Day event this month.

The conference saw heroes from the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Ambulance Service, Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police come together with one message: to support our ladies and boys in blue.

"If we can do anything to help any member of emergency services, then the money we raised is going to good use," Snr Sgt Cavell said.

A cheque was presented to Blue Hope representative Andrew Ayres to ensure our police officers receive the vital support they need, in which Mr Ayres said there "should be no limit".

"I want to stop seeing my friends take their own lives as a result of what they do for a living, which is such an admirable and honourable profession," he said. "They deserve better."

Mr Ayres believes police officers carry a large load on their shoulders due to the nature of their job.

"When you think about it, there's no other profession in the world where a situation can turn fatal based solely on the clothing they're wearing, which is a really heavy burden to carry," he said.

QFES Acting Assistant Commissioner Michelle Young said Blue Hope connected with everyone at the event as "it doesn't matter which sector you work in, the things we see affects all our brothers and sisters across the services".

Blue Hope is a not-for-profit organisation staffed by people with policing experience, that offers anonymous mental health support for officers.

If you or a loved one needs support contact the Blue Hope emergency hotline, 1300 00 BLUE (2583), or visit their website, www.bluehope.org.au/.