S05E12 - PTS Growth - Damien Mullen (Ex NT/VIC POL) pt1

The next theme of the series is "Post Traumatic Growth"

In this episode of the Invisible Injuries podcast, host Andy Fermo interviews ex-Senior Constable Damien Mullen, a former first responder who served in the police forces of both the Northern Territory and Victoria. Damien shares his journey from becoming a police officer out of necessity to navigating the challenges of working in remote and urban environments. 

In the early stages of their chat, Damien recounts his early life, the decision to move to Darwin for better opportunities, and the unexpected path that led him to join the police force. He discusses the initial challenges and adjustments required when starting his police career in a new environment, including the demanding nature of police work and the impact on his young family.

The latter half of the episode delves deeper into Damien's experiences working in remote areas like Alice Springs and Borroloola. He describes the intense and often violent situations he encountered, the cultural differences he had to navigate, and the emotional toll of witnessing and dealing with traumatic events. Damien also shares how the camaraderie and support among colleagues helped him cope with the pressures of the job.

Key Takeaways

1. Necessity Drives Career Choices: Damien's decision to join the police force was driven by financial necessity and the promise of stable housing.
2. Adapting to Cultural Shifts: Moving from urban Victoria to remote Northern Territory required significant cultural and environmental adjustments.
3. Desensitisation as a Coping Mechanism: Police officers often become desensitised to traumatic events as a way to protect their mental health.
4. Community and Camaraderie: Building strong relationships with colleagues and the local community is crucial for managing the stresses of police work.
5. Balancing Family and Duty: The demands of police work in remote areas can strain family life, but support systems and understanding from loved ones are vital.
6. Navigating Remote Policing: Policing in remote communities involves unique challenges, including long hours, cultural sensitivities, and limited resources.
7. Importance of Dark Humour: Dark humour and shared experiences among colleagues serve as essential coping mechanisms for dealing with traumatic incidents.
8. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Ongoing education and adapting to new environments and roles are necessary for professional growth and effectiveness.
9. Empathy and Professionalism: Despite the desensitisation, maintaining empathy and professionalism is critical in law enforcement roles.
10. Resilience and Growth: Damien's story highlights the resilience required in first responder roles and the potential for personal growth through overcoming adversity.

Contact -  Damien Mullen
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

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