Reclaim your wellbeing

24 Oct 2024

A woman exercising

Anxiety, depression and mental unrest

It’s normal to experience anxiety from time to time, especially during stressful periods.

However, there’s a difference between situational anxiety that’s brought on by a specific event versus generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) which is constant and chronic.

GAD is the excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday situations, which can lead to depression. The two conditions are often connected.

While some people are inclined to worry more than others, stressful events are the main cause of anxiety.

For police, the stress isn’t just about the work, it’s about life and death.

Warning signs, risks & causes

You might experience:

Overwhelm, avoidance and the inability to make decisions
Feelings of hopelessness
A lack of interest in activities you usually enjoy
Worst-case-scenario thinking and rumination
Like you’re in danger and something ‘bad’ is about to happen
Physical symptoms such as panic attacks, racing heart, disassociation, insomnia, tingling, trembling etc.

Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. It can be caused by a multitude of factors, both external and internal, such as:

Experiencing abuse of any kind
Exposure to ongoing stressful situations
Life-threatening events
Physical issues such as chronic ailments
A family history of mental health issues.

As police, there’s greater exposure to stress, abuse, life-threatening events, injuries, and compounding effect of seeing people in their worst moments.

It’s your job to deal with the negative, traumatic situations often caused by people who need the most help – and impacting those most innocent.

Prevention and management

When you experience a symptom, use one of the tools that work for you and remember that most people benefit from using a combination.

There are plenty of tools available to you, including:

Confiding in your spouse, a family member or friend
Talking to a psychologist
Journaling every day to get your thoughts out and on paper
Practicing meditation and presence of mind
Going for a walk
Doing something you love
Reading a book on self-development
Focusing on the important health pillars – nutrition, exercise and sleep.

Find a blend of lifestyle choices and professional health support to help you process what you experience on the job, while managing your mental health.

Join Police Health to support good mental health

As a Police Health member, you're not just covered for emergencies—you can proactively support your mental and physical wellbeing.

Here are some ways our health insurance can help you stay on top of your health.

See a psychologist or counsellor regularly

This will help you ‘empty your bucket’ of stress and past trauma from your career.

You can also work through any negative emotions about family decisions, such as those involving your children, elderly parents, or relationships.

Chiropractic and remedial support

Consider chiropractic support and remedial massage therapy to address the aches and pains from your work. This will help your body stay strong and release stored tension.

Exercise physiology

Visit an exercise physiologist to create a custom workout plan that keeps you on track.

This approach can empower you towards greater independence and self-management of personal health and wellbeing.

Diet

Book a dietitian appointment to support lifestyle change using individualised nutrition advice and counselling.

This can include but not limited to label reading, food budgeting, meal planning, and using visual aids and demonstrations (such as food or meal portions).

*All benefits may be subject to Waiting Periods, Limits and other conditions. Rollover applies once you’ve completed your first 12 months membership (2 years for Major Dental). Providers must be recognised by us. Review the cover tables on the Combined, Hospital and Extras pages, and your State Premium and Benefit Guide or contact us for more information.