Suicide fear for Victoria Police prompts leaders to tackle stress in the force
THE top three tiers of policing in Victoria have teamed up to tackle the hidden toll of mental health problems in the force.
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THE top three tiers of policing in Victoria have teamed up to tackle the hidden toll of mental health problems in the force.
Police Minister Wade Noonan, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and Police Association boss Ron Iddles yesterday shook hands on a deal which will bring hi-tech help to troubled officers.
Mr Ashton also revealed he is so concerned about the number of police suicides and mental health problems in Victoria Police that he has ordered a comprehensive investigation into what can be done to improve the wellbeing of his 13,000 officers.
“Out of that review I will get recommendations as to how I can improve Victoria Police’s policies and management of both post-traumatic stress disorder and the saving of police from suicides,” he told the Herald Sun.
More than 40 Victoria Police members have committed suicide since 1990 and at least 200 officers a year are taking extended sick leave caused by stress, depression and related problems.
Sen-Sgt Iddles said attacks on officers by ice addicts and police having become terrorist targets were major contributors to increased mental health problems in the force.
The Police Association has been pushing for its members to be provided with a smartphone app to enhance resilience and manage those problems.
Mr Noonan yesterday told the Herald Sun the State Government, Victoria Police and the Police Association will share the estimated $200,000 cost of rolling out the app to every serving and retired Victoria Police officer.
“I have had a number of conversations with two very experienced men in this case, being Ron Iddles and Graham Ashton, and sought to understand from their point of view how significant this problem is,” he said.
“They have left me in no doubt that we need to do much more work in this area.”
Mr Ashton said the review he has ordered into police suicides and mental health problems in the force was in addition to helping fund the app and that there was a strong need for both initiatives.
“Our injury rate in Victoria Police is quite significant,” he said.
“One of the key areas where members are injured is in post-traumatic stress disorders through dealing with the trauma they have to cope with on a daily basis.
“We have got to make sure we have got as supportive and rehabilitative an environment as possible to deal with that.
“This app is an opportunity in that area.
“Often post-traumatic stress disorders are the reason why police will leave their careers.
“But the problem doesn’t go away and it can get worse and can lead to suicide.
“So we have to make sure we are also providing support to past police as well as current.”
Sen-Sgt Iddles said it was probably the first time police command and the Government had combined with the Police Association to jointly fund a venture to improve the welfare of police.
He said every serving and retired Victoria Police member would be able to access the app confidentially.
The app will provide guidance to manage mood and anxiety symptoms as well as allow officers to identify when, how and from whom they should seek professional help.
“Over the past two or three years the job of being a police officer has got more stressful,” Sen-Sgt Iddles said.
“Surveys we have done of members over the past couple of months showed 70 per cent have been assaulted in the past two years and that came about predominantly because of increased ice use in the community.”
Anyone with personal problems can contact Lifeline on 131 114, Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or the Victorian Statewide Suicide Helpline on 1300 651 251.