A retired police officer’s PTSD story with Bob Marmion

This is the seventeenth episode in our Lived Experience series, where we speak with some remarkable people who have experienced and overcome adversity, and who are sharing their stories in a way that might help other people in need of support. 

In this episode we meet Dr Bob Marmion PhD - a retired police officer, secondary school teacher, historian and author. Bob was a police officer for 15 years, serving in Victoria Police in both uniform and the Criminal Investigation Branch as a detective. He was involved in the investigation of many serious crimes including murders and manslaughter, armed robbery, fraud, arson and sexual offences.

Bob was medically discharged from the police after exposure to multiple traumatic experiences that led to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a marriage breakdown and drug and alcohol addiction mixed with suicidal thoughts. 

He shares with us:

• How he lives with PTSD and how he discovered he had the condition
• How he changed his life direction after leaving the Police
• How writing about his experiences in his memoir The Price We Pay has been part of his discovery and healing process, which is helping others too.

If you are affected by anything discussed in this episode, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or go to lifeline.org.au 

To find out more Bob’s writing and historical research work go to https://www.historysolutions.com.au/

Bob’s memoir The Price We Pay is published by Shawline Publishing.

ermha365 provides a range of mental health services designed to help people experiencing mental health challenges to thrive in the community.  

ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline 13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.