Our purpose
Bluespace aims to increase the recognition of early warning signs, provide evidence-informed resources about mental health issues, and clarify useful ways for people to engage with and support those who may be experiencing mental ill-health.
An in-depth study into the mental health and wellbeing of Victoria Police found that:
- 80% of Victoria Police employees
- have experienced or been exposed to trauma in their career
- 32% of Victoria Police employees
- have experienced mild to severe symptoms of depression
- 90% of Victoria Police employees
- have experienced some degree of burnout from their work
- 40% of survey respondents
- felt it would 'harm their career' to have a mental health condition
- 61% of Victoria Police employees
- prefer to manage their own wellbeing due to mental ill-health stigma
We know that mental ill-health can have a negative and debilitating impact on an individual, their work, family, and social lives. Stigma associated with experiencing mental illness remains a very real issue worldwide; there is no exception to this for the first responder profession.
The Bluespace wellbeing website was created for the police community by the police community.
Approximately 4,000 current and veteran employees and their families were consulted for wellbeing content and method of delivery. Results from the 2017 Victoria Police Mental Health and Wellbeing Study and Snapshot surveys were also used to inform the development of this website.
Bluespace provides employees and their families with evidence-informed mental health and wellbeing information, as well as help-seeking resources that can be accessed in a timely, safe, and autonomous manner. Content is regularly reviewed by subject matter experts and updated to ensure it remains contemporary, consistent, and best practice.
The ongoing development and maintenance of Bluespace is further underpinned by a key set of values-based principles outlined in the Australia and New Zealand Principles for Mental Health in Policing (the Principles) document. The Principles endorse a culture of identifying and addressing psychosocial risks, promoting mental fitness, reducing stigma, and encouraging early intervention and help-seeking for mental ill health.
Learn more about the Australia and New Zealand Principles for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Policing.
To make an enquiry or to provide feedback about anything you find on this website, please email the Mental Health Centre of Excellence and Innovation at mental-health-program-office@police.vic.gov.au
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