A world-first study of emergency service workers has confirmed strain on mental health throughout the professions, finding suicidal thoughts more than twice as likely among workers.
The survey conducted by Beyondblue found 1 in 3 police and emergency service workers have high or very high psychological distress, with 1 in 4 ex-workers reporting experiences of post traumatic stress disorder.
Beyondblue have called on governments, unions, emergency service personnel and their families to convert this evidence into further action and lasting reform.
Agencies said the research will be used to benchmark and measure change over time, as they work towards improving facilities and help services for workers.