The Little Blue Book

Acknowledging the struggle Sometimes, if suffering stress-related mental injury, we may need help just to be encouraged to ask for help. It’s not easy for some PTSD sufferers; simply reaching for help, acknowledging there’s a struggle can be difficult. Some see this acknowledgement as an admission of failure or “weakness” and, so, struggle on without help, or look for relief in alcohol, illicit drugs or opioids or gambling – anything to block the intense dark feelings they carry. Others feel it may damage their careers. There is considerable evidence that some PTSD sufferers choose not to report the condition and continue without professional help (with all the dangers that brings) because they fear the impact it may have on their professional careers. “Police need to know that they can reach for support and feel like they’ll receive proper and appropriate treatment and not fear that such actions will damage their careers.” A former police officer speaking anonymously to ABC News online. 6 (1) www.dva.gov.au/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd (2) www.news.com.au/suicide-has-claimed-more-australian-soldiers-lives-than-any-war -since-1999 (3) National Coronial Information System, Fact Sheet, June 2015; www.ncis.org.au (4) SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, quoting: Stanley, Hom, and Joiner, 2016 (5) National Coronial Information System, Fact Sheet, June 2015; www.ncis.org.au (6) www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-03/new-figures-reveal-high-suicide-rates-amongst -emergency-workers/6518250 The psychological injury the PTSD sufferer carries can give rise to a host of disorders like poor or neglected health, withdrawal and isolation, chronic gambling, misuse of alcohol and drugs, and an elevated risk of self-harm and suicide. 67 ADA Australia PostScript Section 2 Section 1 Section 3