It’s a truth universally acknowledged by emergency first responders and those in the police force or military – in their line of work, they will see things they cannot unsee.
And for many, those things will continue to haunt them for the rest of their lives – and that’s where these men come in.
A group of former military and first responders will take part in a five-day motorcycle baton ride around Victoria next week. Their ride is to raise awareness of suicides related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
They are aiming to raise $20,000 for Whiskey’s Wish, which offers assistance dogs to sufferers of PTSD.
These riders are no strangers to the black dog that is both depression and PTSD, and they want state and federal governments to provide proper support for those in need.
Former Werribee sergeant Ron Fenton was shot in the head and bitten by a man claiming to have HIV during his 40-year career with Victoria Police. He said many frontline emergency personnel are too scared to say they’re struggling for fear of being sidelined.
Fellow rider and former security guard Dean Marks added: “The thing is, your grounding mechanism is taken away – the minute they’re no longer helping, it’s like their identity has been stolen, and all the struggles and the fights you’re having internally become compounded.
“I’ve had my own struggles … those memories replace part of you. Every now and then, those things come to visit you – there are various triggers.”
Mr Marks said in the past 15 years, Australia has lost more military personnel to suicide than in active combat. Donations: bit.ly/2ki4pzz
