A TEAM of police from the Northern Grampians service area will walk from Ararat and Stawell respectively to meet in Great Western with a message about mental health.
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On Wednesday October 17 the team will begin their trek to raise funds and highlight the need for greater support for current and former police officers’ mental health.
The walk forms part of the larger Head to Head challenge which will see Chief Commissioner of Police Graham Ashton and Police Association Secretary Wayne Gatt meet in Wangaratta on October 23 after walking from opposite ends of the state – Mallacoota and Mildura.
Acting Inspector Rob Weppner of Ararat said the walk his team will complete is much smaller but by no means less vital.
“Policing is a tough job and our members need to know they will be supported if they are not coping and need help,” he said.
“The Head to Head campaign highlights why it is so important to provide ongoing support for former Victoria Police officers living with mental illness.”
“Our walk is only small in comparison to the 1000km being completed by Chief Commissioner Ashton and the secretary. However, the context is still the same with our aim to raise $1000 towards this important initiative.”
The aim of the campaign is to raise $500,000, with all funds to go directly to the Victoria Police Provident Fund’s new Mental Health Fund.
The funds raised will be used to professionalise and expand the Retired Peer Support Officer program, which is a volunteer group of retired police members.
The program supports over 700 former employees experiencing a range of mental health issues such as post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and alcohol and substance abuse.