Tasmania Police launch children's book to support first responders

Serving police Detective Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams released the book alongside Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams on Thursday.

Senior Sergeant Williams wrote and illustrated the book It's just work stuff as a therapeutic tool to help families start conversations with their children about the impacts emergency service work may have on the home environment and to demystify critical incident stress and PTSD.

Commissioner Adams said the organisation recognised that the impact of responding to critical incidents daily may extend to the families and children of first responders, which is why the book is so important.

"It's a really powerful book that's been dedicated to all emergency responders, whether that be a police officer, a firefighter, an SES responder or paramedics, but also, most importantly their children" Commissioner Adams said.

"When an emergency responder comes home after a challenging and difficult day, this can impact their behaviour at home.

"This book is a reminder that it's not their family's or their children's fault, and it's not their fault - it's just work stuff."

It's just work stuff is Senior Sergeant Williams' first venture into the therapeutic space, and was commissioned by Matt Richmond, the director of well-being at Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management.

Sergeant Williams - who has been in the force for 31 years - said previous books normally take about three months to complete. This one took around 12, and was written with support from psychologists and other professionals in the field.

"A lot of time was spent reflecting, seeking feedback and reviewing the material in the book to make sure the content was understandable and appropriate for the audience," he said.

"The idea was to help explain to the children that the change in their parent's behaviour wasn't their fault but an illness that needed to be treated like any other injury.

"It was important to avoid blame for those suffering from PTSD, but at the same time place responsibility on them to do what they could to seek help.

"Ideally, I see this book as a tool for those parents who may have had a tough day and may have been out of sorts - to use to sit down and read to or with their child to help explain the challenges PTSD creates for everyone in the family."

It's just work stuff is already being used as an educational and therapeutic tool by first responders across Tasmania and at other departments nationwide in their well-being support service programs.