After two decades serving with the NSW Police force, former forensic investigator Peter Baines has witnessed some of life's most traumatic scenes. Now, he's using those experiences to deliver a crucial message about men's mental health.
From Trauma to Transformation
The 58-year-old will share his powerful story at a Lifeline Hunter event this Friday, coinciding with International Men's Day. The gathering, titled Brave Conversations: Breaking the Silence for Men's Mental Health, will take place at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club.
Mr Baines reflected on his time in the police force, noting that mental health was rarely discussed openly during his early career. "It was a culture where it wasn't discussed. It was dealt with via alcohol," he revealed. "We've come a long way since then. Society has changed, but there's a long way to go."
His perspective highlights why events like Friday's gathering are so vital. "Events like this make it OK to bring blokes together, have a chat and understand there's no stigma attached to it," he explained.
Confronting International Disasters
Mr Baines's most challenging experiences came during international deployments following major disasters. He was seconded to Bali after the 2002 bombings, where he confronted 202 bodies, including 88 Australians, many of which were not intact.
Even more harrowing was his work in Thailand after the 2004 tsunami. "I walked into a temple where there were 3500 decomposing bodies," he recalled. "I spent days carrying the bodies of dead children in my arms. That has an impact on you."
While such experiences commonly lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, Mr Baines found a different path forward. "It was a difficult time, but I don't feel like I went through depression or PTSD," he said. "I was able to channel that through my charity and see the good that came from that."
Turning Tragedy into Hope
Meeting children who had lost their parents during the tsunami inspired Mr Baines to establish Hands Across the Water, a charity that has since raised more than $40 million.
"I couldn't change what happened to them, but I thought I could change what happened next by changing how they lived each night," he explained.
The charity's impact has been substantial:
- Supporting hundreds of children in Thailand
- Putting 56 young people through university
- Providing ongoing community support
Mr Baines now leads approximately six charity bike rides annually in Thailand, many featuring participants from Newcastle. "People arrive thinking they're doing it for the kids we're supporting, but they quickly realise the personal benefit of investing in themselves," he observed.
When asked how men could improve their wellbeing, Mr Baines noted that many men prioritise providing for their families above their own needs. "There's a lot of things put on the backburner. That can lead to resentment or disengagement," he said.
His charity work creates opportunities for people to "feed their soul" and asks a crucial question: "When was the last time you did something that was meaningful and truly just for you?"
The Lifeline Hunter event will also feature former Wallabies star David Campese. The gathering comes at a critical time, with Australian men accounting for three out of every four suicides nationwide.
Mr Baines's journey demonstrates that even the darkest experiences can be transformed into positive action. "You can view death and loss as a buildup of trauma, or you can have a deeper appreciation that every day is a gift," he said. "That's where I've landed."
Tickets for the Brave Conversations event are available at lifelinehunterbrave.raiselysite.com. For immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
