Graham Ashton and Wayne Gatt finish 1000km Head to Head trek for mental health awareness
CHIEF Commissioner Graham Ashton and Victoria Police union boss Wayne Gatt reunited in Wangaratta after a 1000km trek, raising almost $600,000 for retired police mental health.
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VICTORIA’S top cop and police union boss hope “thousands” of struggling police veterans reach out for help after raising almost $600,000 for crucial mental health services.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt united in Wangaratta on Tuesday after a mammoth 1000km walk across the state to raise awareness for retired police with mental health injuries.
The pair smashed their $500,000 fundraising goal and said the Head to Head walk was just the beginning of their ongoing campaign to provide better support for police veterans.
WALK BY TOP COPS HITS $500,000
DISTURBING FACTS ABOUT OUR COPS’ MENTAL HEALTH
COIGHT HELPS OUR TOP COP WITH HIS ALL AUSSIE ADVENTURE
They made it! Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and Police Association Victoria boss Wayne Gatt complete their mammoth 1000km Head to Head walk in support of retired officers with mental health injuries @theheraldsun @VictoriaPolice @PoliceAssocVIC pic.twitter.com/J3SghhqDP7
— Aneeka Simonis (@AneekaSimonis) October 23, 2018
Both are lobbying the state and federal governments to give retired officers permanent and extensive benefits similar to what military veterans have had for decades.
Mr Ashton said it was “early days” but conversations had begun.
“It’s a real issue and it’s been overlooked for way too long,” he said.
“It shouldn’t have to take Wayne and I to walk 1000km for people to take notice.
“If we show we think it is important, others might too.”
The funds raised during the 23-day walk will be used to grow the Retired Peer Support Officer Program, which 60 volunteer former police officers run.
Mr Ashton said it aided between 700 and 800 former officers at any one time but thousands more needed help.
He hoped the campaign signalled that help was available, and that they should not battle their injuries alone.
“Put your hand up and get support,” he said.
Sgt Gatt said the hardest part of the walk was the 5km he did alone.
It made him realise how tough battling a mental illness would be for those no longer actively involved in the policing community.
“These people have given the best years of their life serving the community and now they are unable to enjoy what should be the best of theirs,” he said. “I think it’s so sad and needs to change.”
The latest statistics show 42 serving Victoria Police officers have committed suicide since 1990.
The same figures are not kept for veterans, but both Mr Ashton and Sgt Gatt agree the number would be far greater than 42.
Hundreds of supporters, including current and former Victoria Police officers, gathered to cheer on Mr Ashton and Sgt Gatt as they crossed the finish line in Wangaratta.
Their trek began from opposite sides of the state, with Mr Ashton leaving from Mallacoota and Sgt Gatt walking from Mildura on October 1.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said the state government would invest heavily in mental health services for current and former police members if re-elected next month.
“Police work is incredibly challenging, stressful and – at times – traumatic, and police officers, both current and veterans deserve our support and respect,” she said.
To donate go to givenow.com.au/head-to-head-fundraising-walk
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