Petrh Hills United are proud to have the support and partnership with the Blue Light Appeal.
The Blue Light Appeal was created to help the men and women of the Australian Emergency Services are on the front line day in day out 365 days of the year, responding to all types of disasters or emergencies. They respond quickly and often without any thought or regard to their own safety.
Research has stated that there are at least 8000 police, fire and ambulance workers living with PTSD and this is rising every year. Suicide within the emergency services has risen by over 800% and there is no sign of this getting better. PTSD can manifest itself in different ways from a number of traumatic events over a number of years to just one event, pushing a responder over the edge. PTSD can be turned on anytime by any event, an event that may seem minor, but the triggers are too strong for the brain to handle
The typical hard edged attitude within the emergency services has made the treating and reporting of PTSD hard, due to the stigma or lack of knowledge. The body and the brain can harden up for a while, but then, there comes a time when the cup over flows and then the brain and body says that is it. Emergency service personal are proud people, and it is at this point they think they are weak and have let themselves down, their families and their coworkers, when in fact it is not them, it is the system and the lack of understanding in what they are feeling.
There is no immunity from PTSD. 10 percent of the emergency services suffer from PTSD and that does not include the people who are suffering in silence. Suicide is up with more people taking their lives because they can’t cope and feel worthless. Families, next of kins, partners are also not immune to the symptoms and they too are suffering.
We are a local charity, determined to make a difference, to support, educate, but more importantly, to be a shoulder to cry on. We need your help, if we are to make a difference. If you feel you can help us, to help these amazing people, then please email us, or follow us on face book.
Events will be held throughout the year, subject to COVID 19 restrictions.