Former first responder honoured for suicide prevention work

Former first responder James Maskey, has been named the R U OK? Conversation Leader at the 2023 Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards. 

The awards recognise those who help create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide and are presented in five categories: Workplace, Education, Community, Conversation Leader, and Young Conversation Leader. 

The judging panel recognised Mr Maskey’s outstanding contribution to suicide prevention work, particularly his work to promote stronger connections and meaningful conversations for those within the police and emergency services sector. 

Mr Maskey is a retired front-line Queensland Police Officer with a service history including General Duties and in the Child Protection and Investigation Unit. 

Mr Maskey was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2013. He has since become a dedicated mental health advocate and works to build and maintain mentally healthy workplaces in the first responder sector. 

In announcing Mr Maskey as the award recipient, R U OK? Community Ambassador, Kate Taylor highlighted the value of his efforts. 

"James is a real champion for individual first responders and works tirelessly to increase help-seeking behaviours, remove barriers to accessing supports and ultimately create mentally healthy workplaces for police and emergency services personnel and volunteers,” said Ms Taylor. “James shares the story of his lived experience and recovery to encourage others to seek help and to create connections within the first responder community. 

"He also reinforces the importance of having family and friends engage with R U OK?,” she said. “Congratulations James and thank you for championing the  R U OK? message."

The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards were first presented in 2019 in memory of the late Barbara Hocking OAM. 

“Barbara was a fearless mental health advocate and campaigner,” said Katherine Newton, R U OK? CEO. “Her leadership and achievements had a positive impact on how people living with mental illness and their families are treated and regarded in Australia. 

“These awards honour her lifelong commitment to peer support by highlighting the opportunity we all have to make a difference to those in our world.  

“Barbara was one of the first leaders in the mental health and suicide prevention sector to recognise the merit of the R U OK? mission in breaking down stigma. Our nominees demonstrate the values she lived by every day.” 

Details of all categories, finalists and winners for The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards can be found here.