New mental health support for veteran families and carers

Veteran families and carers living anywhere in Australia can now access free online workshops that aim to enhance their own mental health and wellbeing when supporting a loved one who is experiencing suicidal distress or have been bereaved by suicide.  

The Stronger we Stand workshops will be co-delivered by Lived Experience Peers who understand military life and mental health clinicians whose professional support can assist those who may be feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances.

The workshops are open to:

• Carers and family members who are bereaved by the suicide of a current or ex-serving Defence member (not within the past 6 months)
• Carers or family members supporting a current or ex-serving Defence member who is experiencing suicidal distress
  Are over 18 years old.

Funded by Open Arms and delivered in partnership with Grand Pacific Health, the Stronger we Stand workshops will include:

• 3 x 90 minutes sessions (delivered over 3 days) focussing on managing distress and bereavement
• 3-hour sessions available for parents and caregivers and, 
• a 2-hour one-off session dealing with topics including self-care, overcoming stigma, understanding PTSD and trauma, achieving better mental and physical health and managing the impacts of alcohol and drug use.    

The workshops will assist participants to gain skills to strengthen their coping abilities, reduce stress and isolation, and build meaningful connections with others who understand their journey.

Delivered in a culturally safe and compassionate way, the workshops aim to connect families and carers with each other, provide information and resources to build coping skills, increase knowledge about support services available and enhance their quality of life regardless of where they live in Australia.  

The Stronger we Stand workshops are part of a significant expansion of Open Arms’ digital mental health capabilities to support veterans, families and carers living in metropolitan, regional and remote areas throughout Australia.  

For more information on the workshops, visit the Grand Pacific Health website.

Open Arms provides military-aware and trauma informed care to veterans, current serving ADF personnel and their immediate families.

You can call Open Arms 24/7 on 1800 011 046 to find out how they can support you.