 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Trauma and Police Work
- Grief over loss
We are never prepared for the death of a colleague. Unfortunately, it is inherent in police work that officers are often exposed to danger, which from time to time can claim their valuable lives.
The impact of such loss on other officers (especially those who are close to the deceased) can be horrendous, and can only be healed through time and by coping bravely and positively.
The death of a Marine officer in a crane accident in 1999, that of a Traffic officer on Tuen Mun Road last year, and the recent loss of a Uniform Branch officer all remind us of how painful a colleague's death is.
It is not uncommon for those experiencing this grief to feel numb, angry, depressed and even guilty in their initial reaction. Sleeping problems, nightmares and loss of interest in daily activities are also reported.
People experience grief in different ways. The core feelings of grief are powerlessness, fear, anger, and guilt. Others include shock, disbelief, numbness, sadness, tears, depression, sorrow, loneliness, isolation, panic, anxiety, frustration and sleepiness. But grief is not a sign of weakness. Nor is there a quick fix for it. It is a transition - it can be a long, slow, time-consuming, painful, healing process, a journey towards acceptance and meaningful changes in life.
Alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and work are not helpful when used to replace, deny, or avoid the pain of grief. We need to talk about the loss with someone we trust. This is the first courageous step to facing and dealing with it.
The second step is to acknowledge and express our feelings about the loss (i.e. accepting our emotional reactions as normal). Third is to examine our existing life goals and relationships with others to see whether any change is necessary (e.g. spending more time to care about people we love). Fourth is to let our memory of the deceased be additional energy to achieve further growth in ourselves.
Death of a colleague is certainly a sorrow, but through acceptance and grief we may also experience positive changes in our lives and other relationships. Nevertheless, when our emotional reactions become major obstacles to our daily functioning despite the passage of time, professional help may have to be considered.
Please call Psychological Services Group when assistance is needed.
PHQ, Hong Kong Island and Marine: 2866-6206 (5/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay); Kowloon and the New Territories: 2735-3739 (22/F, Ocean Building, 80 Shanghai Street, Kowloon).