I’m finally not alone.

"My life is pretty good. I have great family and friend support. I have a fantastic health team. We have a definitive diagnosis of PTSD and other illnesses and my multitude of drugs generally keep me well. However despite how well I was travelling with my illnesses, I was often lonely in my diagnosis. Ostracised from work I had no comradeship, no one to have a coffee with. After 23 years there was no one who knew me for the awesome copper I was, no one to recognise me now that I was ill. To all my support I wore the smiling face but bore the saddened soul. Then someone put me on to Code 9, and I have found that missing piece of the puzzle. I have laughed, I have cried, I have supported and have been supported. I have found a group of troubled survivors fighting to make sense of work, sick leave, Workcover, medical retirement and beyond. Finding out where it all fits into life to keep themselves alive. I’m finally not alone."

- Police Officer

Here are a few more...

...has brought me out of the isolation I encountered from my PTSD

Police Officer

"This group with its meetings and Facebook messages has brought me out of the isolation I encountered from my PTSD. I have many new friends and even caught up with some old ones as well. Code 9 has been and is invaluable."

Pretty happy with the contact and camaraderie

Police Officer

"Pretty happy with the contact and camaraderie, can't find it too many other places."

I/we will never forget your generosity

Paul and Gill

Thank you Code9 Foundation We can not begin to explain how grateful we are for your generous gift of two nights respite/recovery means to us. My husband retired ill in 2022 and he’s been travelling well and not so well still to this day for many years. There were a few scary moments thankfully only 2 where he tried ending his life which is no doubt all to do with the grief and trauma he has endured in his 20 years plus with Vicpol. Medication and therapy is helping my husband but I know time and rest is what’s needed. There is no quick fix, the Black Dog is definitely the devil. As a current serving member of Vicpol it has been incredibly difficult to do my job, be a mum and a wife. So I say thank you. With out the support of Code 9 I don’t know where any of us emergency service workers would be as you are all angels. Thank you for being so kind and for just being there. I/we will never forget your generosity.

Finding out it wasn't just me was huge.

Police Officer

“Finding out it wasn't just me was huge. Especially chats at the couple of meetings I went to. Just knowing that I wasn't alone was so important to recovering."

Much appreciated

Mark

Thank you to the people who made this break possible. We had a brilliant relaxing time in St Leonards. We were able to switch off, catch some sunrises, take the dog for walks along the beach, see the sunset over the water and generally have a very relaxing time. Much appreciated.

The Code 9 Group is a safe haven for its members

Paramedic

"The Code 9 Group is a safe haven for its members to establish contact with other police and emergency services personnel who are travelling the same PTSD road. The shared experiences, knowledge and camaraderie help re enforce the notion that members are never alone during their struggles with this insidious injury."

...the encouragement to climb into the light.

Firefighter

"This group equates to a strong rope ladder, thrown down the dark hole, and providing the encouragement to climb into the light."

Just want to publicly thank Code 9 for their generosity and for really "walking the walk". ...

Anonymous

Code 9 contacted us and organised (and paid for!) about 10 days worth of home-made frozen evening meals to be dropped off. It's seems a small gesture and wasn't about financial hardship for us, but it really took the pressure off us time and effort-wise. Just one less thing to fret about, that has made a HUGE difference, particularly as we live in Melbourne and have just gone back into lockdown....”