DEPRESSION and mental illness among Tasmania's police officers is often left undiagnosed, according to the Police Association of Tasmania.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Statistics supplied by Worksafe Tasmania show that no police officers were reported as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2013 or 2014, but PAT vice-president Gavin Cashion said the organisation had seen at least 10 cases between January and June this year.
Detective Constable Cashion said the figures probably accurately represented reported cases, but did not explain the full story.
"There's a stigma attached to stress related problems, and that's probably why the numbers are the way they are," he said.
"Police generally will deal with issues themselves. They'll either internalise it, or they'll speak about it with one of their colleagues or two of their colleagues."
Detective Constable Cashion said police fell into two categories in relation to PTSD cases: those that could be attributed to a significant event, and those that were cumulative.
He said many more police were suffering from depression related to their jobs, rather than diagnosed PTSD.
"Depression is something that a lot of police suffer from and deal with. A lot of them don't know they've got it, or they're in denial they've got it, but they've got it," he said.
"I've had people contact me to say they're at work in tears, or go home and just burst into tears, or can't sleep or wake up in the night crying because they've got to go to work the next day and they've got a pile of work this big to do."
Detective Constable Cashion said it was crucial that sufferers were treated correctly in terms of work, and were engaged in worthwhile duties that they found fulfilling.
"It's not their fault that they were put in a situation which caused them to suffer post traumatic stress or a stress related illness, it's the department's fault, so they need to take the responsibility and manage the people," he said.
"It's not just enough to put them in a cupboard and close the door, you've got to help them."
■ If you need help call Lifeline: 131 114 or the Suicide callback service: 1300 659 467, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.