By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
POLICE and Corrections Minister Wade Noonan’s decision to take leave from his ministerial duties to receive counselling has been praised by Cranbourne Senior Sergeant Daniel Baynes.
“I think it was really courageous and brave,” Sen Sgt Baynes said of Mr Noonan’s three-month leave of absence.
“I wasn’t expecting it and it’s been great to see him supported.”
Mr Noonan issued a statement on Monday 8 January saying he would take a leave of absence from his position in the State Government and Parliament, citing the grim nature of his ministerial job.
“It has been difficult to cope with the constant exposure to details of unspeakable crimes and traumatic events that are an everyday part of my role and the accumulation of these experiences has taken an unexpected toll,” he said in a statement.
“I need time to receive further support and assistance including professional counselling.
“This has been a difficult decision but I believe it is the right one.”
Sen Sgt Baynes, who has been in the force for 16 years, said the high profile leave might help to break down barriers.
“Sometimes there is stigma attached with mental health issues and people involved in emergency services have to deal with the worse things society has to offer.
“It shows he’s human, everyone is human and people do react differently to highly traumatic situations.
“In some members of the force you can see instances weigh them down while others can move on.
“When you are dealing with the victims of serious crime, sexual assaults and family violence face to face the impact is really profound,” he said.
In the statement, Mr Noonan thanked his wife and family for their love and encouragement and Sen Sgt Baynes said that was an important point.
“Victoria Police has local peer support programs and if someone has been to a suicide they get contacted by our clinical welfare services.
“And our members have the ability to tap into professional help and that’s extended to families of police members as well.”
He said that for many police officers the job doesn’t finish at the end of their shift.
“We get people who perform very well at work but when they go home they are struggling – you never know what people are dealing with behind the scenes,” he said.
“When we take off our uniforms we are all the same.”
Mr Noonan’s decision to take leave was supported by Premier Daniel Andrews and has since been saluted by the chairman of Beyondblue and former premier Jeff Kennett.
