Hi Johno, Just a quick update on the Veterans Help Groups.
When I was involved it was called the Vietnam Veterans Counseling Service, run by Vietnam Vets, but open to all ex-service folk. However there was a split,
if you served in Vietnam I would recommend that you would make first contact with the :
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia
www.vvaa.org.au/index.htm
They will guide you, give you advice, and set you up with an Advocate to help you with the system.
You may be surprised with the help Physical and mental, that is available to you. They will help from their end, and put you in touch with best areas of the VVCS.
If you didn't serve in Vietnam then I would suggest that you contact :
Veterans' and Veterans' Family Counseling Service VVCS
www.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation/Pages/index.aspx
This is a set up under the Department of Veterans Affairs, and you will find that a lot of help, counseling, courses etc. are available to you. They will assess your situation and offer a range of help. Also you will find that you are entitled, free of charge, a range of services, mobility aids, railings at your house if needed, and arrange of services to help out with the things that you are no longer able to do around the house, it is really is worth your while to get involved.
As I mentioned I have been out of the system for over a decade now, and finally contacted them last Friday, they are arranging a visit by a Counselor/Psychologist to come and visit, and help plan the way ahead.
There are lifestyle courses, health and well being courses, and much more available.
Just after we were married my wife and I were able to attend a 5 day Lifestyle course, at a country retreat, with several other ex-service guys and their wives. The information gained was priceless for both of us. The Course was run by a couple of Psychologists, and health care specialists
Even if you weren't involved in military conflict you will probably find that you may be entitled to a pension card that will enable you to receive a range of medical help, prescription etc.
I can understand that you may be reluctant to go down this road, and it did take me several years, with continual badgering from a couple of my mates, before I finally got involved. When I left the service, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with anything that reminded me of my time in the service.but it was certainly worthwhile in the long run.
Back in those days, DVA was the devil incarnate, but I am told those days have changed.
I guess the best approach would be to contact your local RSL Branch, and discuss it with them, they handle pension inquires as well.
Well mate this has been a bit of a ramble, but PLEASE contact you RSL, and ask to speak to Pensions Officer, they are trained to give you far better advice than I can.
If there are any other serving, or ex-service folk reading this forum, I would encourage you to look into this as well, there is help out there for you, but you do have to look for it. Sadly, once again,our medicos are not informed, or trained to pass this type of info on.
I was fortunate, at the time to have a GP, who had just completed a workshop on PTSD, otherwise I wouldn't have known what was happening in my life, and would never had reached out for help.