Sue’s story
“I devotedly served in my chosen vocation for twenty years. Entering it as a strong and enthusiastic young woman, but leaving it as a broken and lost soul. I was so ill, I couldn’t even resolve my retirement effectively – as is often the case with mental health affected retirees. After years of trying to help myself, I was encouraged by another grateful user to trust and contact IODPA.
Suffering with PTSD means having real difficulties with trust and dealing with matters to do with previous illness related issues that have to be resurrected. Letting go of control and handing it to someone you may have never met – and have to share the most personal situations with. It’s painful.
I was taken in hand by one of the wonderful members of the charity. Their method of communication, dedication to the task, courage and persistence in the face of challenging times for police pensioners, is admirable, inspiring and most of all, a breath of fresh air. Anyone who can handle a panic attack via email, deserves a gold medal!
After years of not being able to move anywhere in my thoughts and needs to receive help, in a few months, they convinced me to keep moving forwards, that I was safe and anything I was sharing was in confidence. These are big things for police officers, especially when those things have been disregarded previously and in my case, brazenly so.
If you are feeling, like I was, desperate, flailing and very, very sad and alone in your circumstances, please give IODPA a shout – it might just save your life. Minimally, you could find peace in your thoughts and move forwards. I don’t have a result yet, but I am hopeful and feel safe in the hands of IODPA.”
Thank you IODPA.