Mental health and wellbeing of Australian police and emergency services employees

Michael J. Kyron, Wavne Rikkers, Jennifer Bartlett, Emma Renehan, Katherine Hafekost, Michael Baigent, Rebecca Cunneen, David Lawrence

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Answering the Call, the Australian National Police and Emergency Services Mental Health and Wellbeing Study, surveyed 14,868 Australian ambulance, fire and rescue, police, and state emergency service employees. Emergency services personnel had lower rates of mental wellbeing and higher rates of psychological distress and probable PTSD than the general adult population. Overall 30% had low wellbeing, 21% had high and 9% had very high psychological distress, and 10% had probable PTSD. An estimated 5% had suicidal ideation and 2% had a suicide plan in the past 12 months, while 16% binge drink at least weekly. Only one in five of those with very high psychological distress or probable PTSD felt they received adequate support for their condition. These findings highlight the risk of mental health conditions associated with work in the emergency services sector.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)282-292
Number of pages11
JournalArchives of Environmental and Occupational Health: an international journal
Volume77
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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