Connection, community and purpose

Through the work we do at ermha365, we know that helping create social connections and purpose is an important part of supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing.

In the latest episode of Get Real: Talking Mental Health and Disability, Police Veterans Victoria (PVV) CEO David McGowan joined co-host Emily Webb to talk about the work of the organisation.

The heart of PVV is its Veteran Peer Support Officers - volunteers who provide support to other police veterans and their families who may be dealing with personal issues, need to talk, or are seeking someone to confide in.?

We know that peer-to-peer conversations are a powerful part of supporting mental health. Sharing lived experience with someone else who understands our situation can make a big difference.

David was a police officer for more than 20 years and was compelled to volunteer with PVV following a shocking traffic crash in 2020 tragedy when four Victoria Police were killed in the line of duty on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway.

Under David’s leadership, PVV is working to create more opportunities for community and connection when people leave Victoria Police, as well as advocating for government funding to further the organisation’s work.

We know from previous conversations on the podcast that Post Traumatic Stress is prevalent for people in first responder roles. David has ambitions to replicate the PVV model in each state and to have the resources and capacity similar to the organisation Open Arms, which supports defence veterans and their families.

PVV also has a podcast called The Plodcast and it’s well worth a listen.