We are looking to partner with those with a similar ethos, such as adventure, endurance, friendship and teamwork. These partnerships will allow us to provide support for our colleagues who need our help.
Support us to support them.
My name is Sarah, I am 42 years old and live in Devon with my husband and 2 children.
I have been employed with Devon and Cornwall Police as a member of Police Staff for 20 years.
Having recently been prompted to Radio Supervisor in the Plymouth Communications Control Room. In addition to this role, I am an Enhanced Crisis Communicator trained to assist others in crisis, a Peer Supporter and a TRIM team leader.
I have previously spent 19 years as a Special Constable both with Devon and Cornwall Police and West Mercia Police.
During my service I have dealt with many incidents both in the Control Room as a Radio Supervisor, a previous Radio Deployment Officer and also on the ground as a Special Constable.
I was diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) back in 2013. This was due to an accumulation of trauma’s in my life. As a child I was badly bullied, then subjected to domestic violence where I was threatened with a Shotgun. It all came to a head when in the control room, I dealt with the hanging of a 14-year-old schoolgirl who was being trolled online.
I have been to the scene of many hangings before but I found it hard to understand why this one incident affected me. I was protected in the Control Room behind a computer screen with a headset on. Although I heard as clear as anything that change in the Officers voice as he arrived on scene and the screams from the mother of the child.
I had gone from being that “bubbly girl” growing up to being very withdrawn. I have been medicated, received CBT therapy and had Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
What I know now is that, If I had talked about the incident after to others then I would not have absorbed so much traumatic stress.
I have used the negative aspects of my life and turned them into positives, becoming a Mental Health Champion and gaining qualifications in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. My life experiences have enabled me to help others.
I am open about my PTSD because I want to help others who are concerned about the stigma that surrounds Mental Health.