James Maskey

James Maskey is the National Engagement Manager of the Police and Emergency Services Program at Beyond Blue. The Police and Emergency Services Program aims to promote the positive mental health of emergency service personnel across Australia and reduce their risk of suicide and the stigmas associated with mental illness. through collaboration between agencies, unions, peak bodies and government departments. A graduate of the Bond University Law Faculty and Griffith University Department of Humanities, James is also a former front-line Queensland Police Officer with a service history including General Duties and the Child Protection & Investigation Unit. During the course of his duties, James responded to countless critical incidents that compromised his mental health. Constant exposure to these critical incidents negatively impacted James' mental health and in 2013 James was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In 2015, James made the difficult but empowering decision to resign from the Queensland Police Service in an effort to reclaim his mental health. James has recently found great strength and solace in endurance training. In 2018, he represented Australia in the ‘Fire and Ice’ 250KM ultra marathon in Iceland, raising mental health awareness and funds for Phoenix Australia. In May 2019, James and a small group of athletes set a new ultra-endurance world record for the maximum distance travelled in a 24-hour period on a Concept2 SkiErg machine. James is incredibly passionate about changing the stigma that surrounds mental health, raising the profile of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and empowering those who suffer from the debilitating mental health challenges to seek the support of professionals who can help them recover.