Celebrating five years of Open Arms’ Community Peer program
This week (25-29 November 2024) commemorates five years since Open Arms’ Community Peer program was first made available nationwide. The lived experience-led program is an integral part of Open Arms’ service, and it makes a huge difference to veterans struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
Community Peers are veterans and veteran family members that walk along-side Open Arms’ clients and their families on their mental health recovery. They share their personal experiences of military life and mental health recovery to help people overcome challenges and access the support they need to improve their lives.
The program has close ties to the Vietnam veteran community who fought to establish Open Arms (formerly the Vietnam Veterans’ Counselling Service) more than 40 years ago. Those veterans and veteran family members would monitor phone lines around the clock, supporting people in the veteran community struggling with the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
For Rob Goulden, one of 35 peers when the program launched nationally in 2019, being a peer had a life changing effect for him and his clients.
“It changed me as a person, for the better. It helped me to understand who I am and how I could use my experiences to help others. There are times when I miss the people and the work and being invited into someone’s life to help them with their personal growth.
“The Open Arms Peer Program has changed the lives of many, and I genuinely believe that the multi-disciplinary approach to recovery, including both clinical and lived experience perspectives can be instrumental in providing the best possible care to our clients.
We thank all Open Arms’ Peers, both past and present, for their selfless and essential work. The wellbeing of so many in the veteran community is a testament to the dedication of these individuals.
To find out how Open Arms military-aware mental health support can help you, call 1800 011 046 day or night, 365 days a year, or visit the Open Arms website.
