Testimonials
Nicole Sadler AM CSC Professor Director and Chief Executive Officer, Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne
What makesThe Urgent Connectiontruly remarkable is not just Paul Milne’s courage in sharing the darkest chapters of his life, but the rare and transformative insight he offers into the emotional toll of high-risk professions and how healing is possible. Through the eyes of a seasoned clinical psychologist, Paul’s story is validated as both raw and vital: a deeply personal account that exposes the silent unraveling so many face behind the uniform, while offering a roadmap for recovery grounded in honesty, resilience, and accountability. More than a memoir, this book is a practical, hope-filled resource for first responders, leaders, and loved ones alike. It doesn’t just tell us what went wrong it shows how to make it right, making it essential reading for anyone who values connection, wellbeing, and the human cost of service.
Rosie Skene Former NSW police force, operational safety instructor, weapons and tactics Founder Tactical Yoga Australia Podcast Host- Triumph Beyond trauma.
The Urgent Connectionis more than a book it’s a lifeline for first responders who’ve silently shouldered too much for too long. What makes Paul’s story extraordinary is not just his honesty about trauma, diagnosis, and recovery, but his unflinching call to action: that healing is possible, but it requires us to show up for ourselves, again and again. He dismantles the stigma surrounding men’s mental health with both strength and tenderness, offering his journey as proof that vulnerability is not weaknessit’s survival. His love for those who supported him, especially his partner Vicki, adds a depth that reminds us: recovery isn’t a solo act, it’s a reconnection to what and who truly matters. This book doesn’t just speak to the struggles behind the uniform; it speaks to the humanity within it.
Nicole Plotkin – Director and Principal Psychologist BA, BAppSc Psych (Hons), GDipDisability Studies, Cert4 Workplace Training and Assessment, MAPS
What makesThe Urgent Connectiontruly extraordinary is Paul Milne’s unwavering refusal to be defined by trauma. From the depths of PTSD haunted by relentless nightmares, anger, and emotional shutdown Paul emerged not only as a survivor, but as a guide. Through radical honesty and relentless inner work, he shares how he rebuilt his life using both evidence-based therapies and everyday resilience practices. His story is a rare fusion of grit, growth, and grace, offering not just insight, but a practical toolkit for anyone navigating their own darkness. This book isn’t just an account of healing it’s a beacon of hope for those who still need to believe that recovery is possible.
Mark Thomas Former Victorian Police Sergeant, Public Speaker, Advocate for First Responders and Veterans Founder and President of the Code 9 Foundation
The Urgent Connectionis far more than a memoir of policing it’s a raw, educational, and deeply human journey through trauma, healing, and transformation. What makes this book truly remarkable is not just Paul Milne’s courageous recounting of the emotional toll of frontline service, but the clarity and strength with which he shares his path out of the darkness. Through brutally honest reflections on fatherhood, stigma, and mental illness, Paul reveals how professional help, radical self-care, and spiritual reawakening opened the door to a new life one filled with purpose, connection, and hope. This is not just a story of survival; it’s a roadmap for anyone seeking to rebuild, reconnect, and rise stronger.
Grant Edwards APM Former Commander Australian Federal Police, Australian Olympic Team Athlete Master’s Degree in Leadership, Policy and Governance, Bachelor of Arts (ANU), Guinness Book World record holder and published Author ‘The strongman’.
What makesThe Urgent Connectionso unforgettable is Paul Milne’s unflinching willingness to lay bare the raw, often unseen toll of policing offering a rare and courageous invitation into the mind and heart of someone who has worn the badge and paid the emotional price. In blending personal narrative with academic insight, Paul not only shatters the culture of silence that surrounds mental health in law enforcement but also creates a roadmap toward recovery, resilience, and reform. His story is more than a memoir it’s a universal call to confront uncomfortable truths, to honour vulnerability, and to inspire lasting change in how we care for those who serve.
