RAR QLD Welfare

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One of our objectives is to promote health and welfare matters to members.
We achieve this through our Welfare Sub-committee, of the Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA) qualified pension and welfare officers, that have the responsibility to:

Identify appropriate health and wellbeing articles from authoritative sources and publish them in the Association’s Newsletter and website,

Provide a welfare referral service to the appropriate DVA and ESO support agencies. Our welfare support officers are not required to give “expert” advice but are required to have a thorough knowledge of the existing Federal, State and community services, RSL, Legacy, etc, welfare networks so that they can refer an enquirer to the most appropriate source, and

Maintain a “care watch” over reported sick members and their families. If you need some welfare guidance, contact our Welfare Officer 'Ross Langford' 07 3261 7830 rosslangford@optusnet.com.au , and he can refer you to a qualified advocate. Going into Hospital? He may be able to visit you and/or advise others you would want to know.

DVA is the major source for providing veterans with health and wellbeing information and encouragement for them to take responsibility for their own health, make lifestyle changes and consider healthy choices to improve the quality of their lives and so enjoy ageing as a positive experience.

Its web site www.dva.gov.au gives access to a wide range of health education subjects and programs, presented in a style that is very easy to read and understand.

VETERANS' HEALTH WEEK - 24-30 OCTOBER 2011

Veterans' Health Week Veterans' Health Week (VHW) 2011 will be held from 24–30 October 2011 and provides an opportunity for veterans, war widows, widowers and their families to celebrate the strengths of the veteran community. This year's focus is on mental wellness—encouraging members of the veteran community to think about their health and wellbeing and consider making positive changes to their lifestyle to live a stronger, healthier and happier life.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

For support and information about mental health and suicide prevention: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au; SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or sane.org

Where to get Help

If you require immediate crisis assistance

In an emergency call 000

For immediate counselling assistance contact

Veterans Line: 1800 011 046

Lifeline: 13 11 14

If you feel that you or someone you know may be suicidal, contact your GP or Local Medical Officer or a counsellor.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME (PTSD)

DENTS IN THE SOUL

DVD dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Frightening and overwhelming traumatic experiences can have a strong impact on your mind and emotions. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder and is one of a range of psychological reactions you can have to a traumatic incident. PTSD can be distressing with negative consequences for your health and wellbeing. It can affect anyone, but there is help available.

Army, in conjunction with the Directorate of Mental Health, Defence Publishing Service and Singer Songwriter Mr John Schumann, have produced a DVD designed to address stigma, offer support and raise awareness of the issues surrounding PTSD for Army personnel and their families. Featuring Army members who share their own experiences with PTSD, the DVD supports the important message of 'look after yourself, your mates and your family.'

This 30-minute mini documentary aims to de-stigmatise PTSD and to show that it can potentially happen to anyone who has been exposed to a traumatic event. Developing symptoms of post traumatic stress after exposure to trauma is not a sign of weakness – it is simply being human.

Recovery rates from PTSD are high but early diagnosis and treatment are particularly important. Generally, the longer the symptoms persist, and go untreated, the longer the eventual recovery will take and the greater the disruption to the person's work, family and enjoyment of life.

Singer Songwriter John Schumann, who wrote 'I Was Only 19', is the narrator of the DVD and helps walk viewers through diagnosis, treatment and effects of PTSD on individuals and their families. John Schumann also shares his personal experience with PTSD in the DVD.

Mental health specific DVDs for both Navy and Air Force will be developed in 2011.