Landmark survey ‘shines a light’ on the ‘scary’ truth facing our first responders
A landmark survey of the mental health of our first responders has revealed the ‘scary’ truth they face day in, day out.
One in three police and emergency services employees experience high psychological distress.
This is compared to one in eight Australian adults in the general community.
More than 21,000 police, firefighters and paramedics – serving and retired – took part in the survey.
Former prime minister and Beyond Blue Chairwoman Julia Gillard revealed to Ray Hadley last month she would take a closer look at the mental health of first responders.
As the details are released today, she tells Ray “it’s a bit scary”.
“It does tell us that there are incredibly high rates of psychological distress, mental health disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ray says he was “struck” by the results, which also reveal one in four employees found the current worker’s compensation process for psychological injury “detrimental to their recovery”.
“That’s really shining a light on something that we can do,” says Ms Gillard.
Click PLAY below to hear the full interview