Victoria Police released findings of its mental health review on Tuesday. 

The organisation commissioned the independent review to better understand the state of employee mental health and provide advice on ways to support officers.

Horsham Inspector Rebecca Olsen welcomed the review and supported its 39 recommendations. 

“There are a number of key challenges for us as an organisation,” she said.

Mrs Olsen said the recommendations that would be a priority for her included implementing a mental health literacy program to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, recognising the warning signs and increasing family engagement.  

“My members, in addition to being police officers, have families,” she said.

“They are a part of the community and their health and wellbeing is critical to them continue to function in all facets of their lives.”

Other recommendations included increasing managers’ accountability for employee wellbeing, increasing resources to existing support services and implementing a more comprehensive approach to managing mental health across member’s career lifespan, from recruitment to retirement. 

Mrs Olsen said there were many factors that contributed to mental health issues among Wimmera police.

“Operational exposure to vicarious trauma contribute to the mental health risk,” she said.

“But there are other factors such as management practices and workload, along with personal relationships – the general challenges that life throws our way.”

Mrs Olsen said Wimmera officers had an additional risks with many members working remotely. 

“To improve our mental health outcomes we need to increase our early help seeking behaviours and address the culture that reflects a ‘tough it out’ attitude instead of one where we put up our hand and ask for help when we think we need, not leaving it until when we know we need it,” she said.

“I hope the reforms and recommendations ensure investment throughout our lifetime not just while members are employed by Victoria Police.

“I hope members leave us in as close to perfect condition as when they first joined – with many life stories to tell.” The recommendations also include wide-ranging educational and resilience programs that start the day police join the force.

The review ruled an expanded psychology unit was urgently needed, along with a dedicated psychology support unit for detectives investigating sexual offences against children.

The review was commission after the suicide of a policewoman at Seaford in October.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said policing was a tough job. “It’s high stakes, highly scrutinised and very busy,” he said.