Victoria’s top cop and police union boss urge push to improve mental health support
VICTORIA’S top cop and police union chief have urged the Andrews Government to change the WorkCover system to allow immediate treatment for officers and other emergency workers with mental health problems.
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VICTORIA’S top cop and the police union chief have urged the Andrews Government to act to help officers with mental health problems.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and Sergeant Wayne Gatt want the WorkCover system changed to allow immediate treatment.
Each year, more than 360 serving members take extended sick leave as a result of stress, depression, and related mental health problems.
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Additionally, since 1990, 42 serving officers and an unknown but much larger number of retired members have committed suicide.
So far, more than 7000 people have signed a petition from a former detective senior sergeant, Alex Robertson, demanding legislation so police and other first responders with mental ill health don’t have to wait for treatment.
Both the State Government and the Opposition acknowledge problems with the current system, but neither would yesterday commit to introducing the new laws.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said mental health support for emergency service workers were being examined “to see how we can improve and where we can do more”.
Opposition police spokesman Ed O’Donohue vowed that if the Coalition won the November 24 election it would work with the force and the police union “to ensure current and former police members receive prompt support and assistance when needed for PTSD and other mental health conditions”.
Mr Robertson was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder last year following a 35-year career in the force. He was assaulted on the job and had to deal with countless incidents involving death — including a failed fight to save the life of a baby horribly injured after being ejected from a car during a crash.
“The current system takes too long for treatment to begin after diagnosis, with the claimant having to recount their health issues and symptoms over an extended period of time to numerous medical professionals,” Mr Robertson said.
“This lengthy delay in commencing treatment leads to a decline in the claimants’ mental health.
“It often leads to self-medication with alcohol, prescription medication and illicit drugs and, in some cases, suicide.”
Sgt Gatt said the police union campaigned for the changes to WorkCover for years without success.
“What we would like to see is a system in which injured officers receive provisional treatment immediately, so that they can ultimately receive an early diagnosis, accurate assessment and appropriate treatment,” Sgt Gatt said.
“It’s crucial that this covers all mental health injuries, including but not restricted to post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Too many of our members have lamented the uncertainty, increased stress and frustration caused by the current adversarial system, which can often exacerbate an existing condition and increase the period of time it takes an injured member to return to work.
“The Police Association has told many of their stories in the hope that it will drive the necessary change, and to ensure the next wave of police suffering mental health injuries can concentrate on their recovery — rather than the pitfalls of the current system.”
Mr Ashton said on Monday that there was a need for legislation that allowed for provisional acceptance for cases of PTSD and other mental injuries for police and other first responders.
“It begins to treat mental and physical health on an equal basis, something that is really needed,” he said.
“Currently, affected first responders seeking compensation are faced with layers of bureaucracy they are not in a fit state to deal with.
“Introducing a form of provisional acceptance signals a real change in how we collectively approach issues around mental health.
Mr Ashton said any reform needed to be coupled with preventative action, such as establishing workplace mental health support systems.
“In this regard, Victoria Police has a well-established stepped care model for providing a range of psychological and wellbeing support services to our employees,” he said.
Mr Ashton and Sgt Gatt have joined forces to walk 1000km to raise $500,000 to help thousands of ex-officers with mental health problems.
Donate: headtoheadwalk.org.au
For mental health help, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
