AS emergency service workers, Bendigo Police say they acknowledge the importance of creating a space where people feel comfortable and said asking colleagues whether they were okay was an important start.
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Today marks R U Ok? Day and this year's theme is around "Are they really ok? Ask them today" to encourage all Australians to think about how the people in their world are truly going.
Bendigo Police Sergeant Rodney Davis said it was important to make contact with fellow work colleagues, family, friends and the wider community to see how they were travelling.
"These past two years particularly we have seen the importance of asking if you are okay and offer that support to work colleagues and people you spend time," he said.
"It's also important due to check-in given the other stresses we have had in the current COVID-19 climate through work and through the monitoring of PPE and making sure that everyone is safe, particularly mental health at this time is very important."
Sergeant Davis said as emergency service workers and first responders, it was important to encourage conversations of support from peers, family and friends.
"We certainly encourage people particularly today that having those conversations is something that we try and do on a day to day basis as emergency service workers," he said.
"From a Victoria Police point of view, it's important to reflect on our lives outside of work, and our family and friends and also in relation to the members of the public that we have dealings with.
"It is a reminder when dealing with most people that we take our time with that interaction that we do ask if they are okay and that's a particular focus for us.
For immediate assistance you can also contact:
- Domestic Violence Line - 1800 65 64 63
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- 1800RESPECT - 1800 73 77 32
- Suicide Callback Service - 1300 65 94 67
- If you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000).
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