And you will be exactly the type of volunteer helpers PSG is looking for, if you are also familiar with Force culture, aware of the importance of mental health and the signs and impact of modern stress problems at work and in life, knowledgeable about the resources for peers in need of professional help, and have rich life experiences.

PSG is in the process of forming "Carelinks Cadre" as an important component of the "Balances and Wisdom Campaign", with a long-term objective to enhance work-life balance and promote a culture of care, peer support and positive life values amongst Force members. It will start recruiting volunteers for the Cadre this week, and those who are prepared to help PSG with this mission, may watch out for recruitment details from the Force NoticeBoard.

According to Police Clinical Psychologist, Dr Edmond Lau, the ultimate vision of "Carelinks Cadre" is to enhance the qualities of Force members' psychological functioning.

PSG hopes to recruit 20 to 30 "Carelinkers" initially, and has already made a good start by securing the help of Chief Inspector Lau Tat-keung as a convener of the Cadre, as well as five other officers as core members.

Mr Lau and the core members possess the expertise and experiences in helping others, such as training, welfare, staff relations, counselling, social work, teaching, and crisis handling. Hence apart from recruitment, they will assist with training for recruited "Carelinkers" after the recruitment exercise.

Mr Lau, who has been a member of the Police Negotiation Cadre for the past 14 years and has experiences in staff relations and training, offers his help because he shares the Cadre's vision. He observed: "As police work is getting increasingly complex, stressful and challenging, it is imperative for a police officer not only to elevate the quality of services, but also to enhance the qualities of his psychological functioning through peer support.

"While police officers are trying their best to discharge their duties under stress, it's important for them to turn work stress into motivating force for their work. I think in this respect, members of "Carelinks Cadre" will be able to help colleagues understand more about the importance of mental health and cope with the stress."

Selection of "Carelinkers" would be conducted in December and January, to be followed in the following months by provision of training on mental health knowledge and helping skills.

Mental health promotion

Dr Lau said that upon completion of their training, "Carelinkers" would assist PSG in its mental health programmes, including the current "Balances and Wisdom Campaign". In addition, they may also organise some small-scale locally based programmes according to the needs of individual Formations.

"The 'Carelinkers' will eventually become ambassadors of mental health and form a peer support network rendering immediate support to officers in need of help, motivating them to seek professional help, and reaching out to those who are reluctant to confide their problems or worries to others.

"There's no shortage of officers within the Force who have a strong commitment to the well being of colleagues. I hope they would come forward to help "Carelinks Cadre" achieve its objectives!" Dr Lau concluded.

Dr Lau (left) and CIP Lau discuss recruitment of "Carelinkers"