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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 'John Turner' 0412 831 426 john_turner181@yahoo.com , 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.

'Your Health & Wellbeing' will help you take responsibility for your own health and to make lifestyle changes and healthy choices to improve your quality of life. Programs & publications available to help you increase control over and improve your health & wellbeing include:

• Chronic Disease Self-Management;

• Men’s Health Peer Education; and

• Health Publications and Products.

These programs aim to prevent and manage long-term illness and improve the quality of life of all members of the veteran community. Chief among their material is the Men’s Health Peer Education Program Newsletters: http://www.dva.gov.au/health/menshealth/newsletter.htm

Mental Health

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has a website dedicated to maximising mental health. Targeting veterans, their partners, carers, sons and daughters, and current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, http://www.at-ease.dva.gov.au enables the user to find:

* Information on common mental health conditions, as well as information that takes into account the uniqueness of the veteran experience;

* Services that are available to help cope with a mental illness;

* DVA mental health news and event information; and

* Links to other mental health resources.

What Happens To Your Partner When You Die?

The Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), formerly known as the Regular Defence Force Welfare Association, is a federally-based ex-service organisation with branches in each state and territory.

The ACT Defence Widows' Support Group (DWSG) provides support to Defence widows and widowers, particularly the newly bereaved. The Group contacts them after the funeral of their partner. Experience has shown that the same problems seem to surface repeatedly and that some forward planning would help relieve some of the burden and distress to your partner when death occurs – arrangements put in place now will save your partner grief and effort when the time come.

SOME ISSUES TO CONSIDER NOW

Last Updated: 15 August 2008