MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA

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MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
M E N’S H E A L T H
PEER                         EDUCATION                      MAGAZINE
                                                                FREE MAGAZINE

VOLUME 18 | NO 2 | 2019

V E T E R A N S ’ H E A LT H W E E K
M E N TA L W E L L N E S S E D I T I O N
 PT with the Governor-General of Australia
 Are you in the driver’s seat of your own mental wellness
 and general wellbeing?
 Gardens, great for the soul and body
MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

     CONTENTS                                                      EDITORIAL
        2–3    EDITORIAL
      4        ARE YOU IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF
    		         YOUR OWN MENTAL WELLNESS AND
    		         GENERAL WELLBEING?
      5        WAYS TO MAINTAIN YOUR MENTAL
    		         WELLNESS
    		         AS A VETERAN AND CARER
                                                                   For many of us, the holiday period brings with it a chance
        6-7    COPING WITH LIFE
                                                                   to take some time out to relax, enjoy the longer days of
          8    MENTAL WELLNESS THROUGH EXERCISE                    summer and reflect on the year that’s passed. Perhaps this
      9        IMPROVING MENTAL WELLBEING 		                       year has been particularly challenging for you, or maybe
    		         THROUGH SPORT                                       you’ve had a great year; whatever the case, it’s useful to take
                                                                   some time to check in with yourself, take stock of your own
     10-11     INAUGURAL NATIONAL FEARLESS PTSD                    mental wellness, and think about what you can do to feel
    		         CONFERENCE
                                                                   refreshed and prepare for a prosperous 2020.
      12       RESOURCES IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL
    		         WELLNESS                                            I love what Kerri-Ann writes in her article, ‘Ways to maintain
                                                                   your mental wellness as a veteran and carer’ (page 5),
         13    YOUR WELLBEING IS OUR BUSINESS                      about it needing to be a conscious decision to make time
         13    HEALTHY LIVING APPS                                 to take care of your wellbeing. It’s very easy to neglect our
                                                                   own needs when it comes to mental wellness. Whether we
       14-15   NOURISH YOUR BODY AND BRAIN
                                                                   are busy caring for loved ones, such as family members
      15       ADVICE ON ACCREDITED PRACTISING                     and friends; working hard to contribute to and support our
    		         DIETICIANS                                          veteran community; or simply can’t find any motivation,
                                                                   the importance of this area of our lives is often overlooked.
     16-17     WHAT ARE THE MENTAL HEALTH RISKS
    		         AFFECTING AUSTRALIAN VETERANS,
    		         AND HOW CAN THEY BE HELPED?
      18       CONNECTING FEMALE VETERANS
    		         AND FAMILIES
      19       TRY YOGA! WHAT HAVE YOU GOT
    		         TO LOSE?
      20-21    VETERANS’ HEALTH CHECKS
     22        GARDENS, GREAT FOR THE SOUL
    		         AND BODY
     23        ENGAGE, SHARE AND BUILD –
    		         VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK 2019, COMING
    		         TOGETHER FOR MENTAL WELLNESS
      24–25    WISE WORDS
     26-27     PT WITH THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL, IN
    		         SUPPORT OF VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK
     27        MHPE VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION – 5, 10                  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
    		         AND 15 YEAR RECOGNITION FOR MHPE
                                                                   What we’re looking for...
    		         VOLUNTEERS
                                                                   Letters should be no more than 100 words
      28–35    MHPE NATIONAL ROUND UP                              and relate to articles or topics discussed in the
     36        MHPE CONTACT DETAILS AND NEXT                       magazine or regarding men’s health generally.
    		         ISSUE CONTENT

                                                                   PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
               COVER PHOTO: Governor-General His Excellency        menshealth@dva.gov.au or c/- Department of
               General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC          Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education
               (Retd) participating in the PT session in support
               of Veterans’ Health Week
                                                                   Magazine GPO Box 9998, Brisbane QLD 4001

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MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

In reality, it’s one of the fundamental building blocks
needed to create a great life.

In this issue of the magazine you’ll find a range of
articles suggesting different ways you can support
your own mental wellness. Whether it be heading
outside and into the fresh air and sunshine to enjoy
some gardening; putting your feet up for some quiet
time with a cup of tea and a good book; or braving                                         MHPE
something new and trying your first yoga class, it’s                                       MAGAZ IN E
worth making the time to do it. If we each do this for
ourselves, it will help to make us happier and healthier
                                                                                           EDITORIAL
individuals, as well as better-equipping us to care for                                    COMMITTEE
others.
                                                                                           MEMBERSHIP
To all our readers, I wish you a safe and happy holiday
period. Amongst the summertime barbeques and
Christmas pudding, I encourage you to take some time                                       SOPHIE LAVERS
to reflect on the year that’s passed and prepare for a                                     DVA MHPE Editor
wonderful 2020, making mental wellness a priority.
                                                                                           DR WARREN HARREX
Leonie Nowland                                                                             DVA Medical Adviser
Assistant Secretary
Client Engagement and Support Services Division                                            DR LORETTA POERIO
                                                                                           DVA Mental Health Advisor

                                                                                           DR DIMITRI BATRAS
                                                                                           DVA National Health Promotion Officer

                                                                                           CONAN ELPHICKE
                                                                                           DVA Public Affairs

                                                                                           SUSAN BURNS
                                                                                           Open Arms

                                                                                           TRISH BATCHELOR
                                                                                           DVA Deputy Chief Health Officer

     M H P E M AG A Z I N E                                DISCLAIMER
     AND REPRODUCTION                                      Articles with this publication are the views of the individual
     OF CONTE NT                                           contributors and should not necessarily be viewed as endorsements
                                                           by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Information provided should
                                                           be carefully evaluated for its source, accuracy, currency, completeness
     Just a reminder to our readers,                       and relevance for your purposes. Users should obtain appropriate
                                                           professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances. Users
     if you would like to include                          are encouraged to check with the author agency if they have any
     an article that’s appeared in                         concern about the information provided. This publication includes
     an edition of the magazine in                         links to sites that are not administered by the Department of Veterans’
                                                           Affairs. These links do not constitute endorsement of material at
     your own publication, please                          those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service.
     contact the Editor to confirm if
     there are any restrictions on the
     re-publication of the material.
                                                                                                                                     3
MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

    ARE YOU IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF
    YOUR OWN MENTAL WELLNESS
    AND GENERAL WELLBEING?

                                           the following tips give you broad        support is so important; that
                                           areas to get started:                    it is high quality connections
                                                                                    to people we care about and
                                           1. Exercise – there is a very strong     who provide us with a sense
                                              body of work that supports            of purpose that we need. More
                                              the benefit of exercise from          and more research is indicating
                                              a fitness, mental health, and         that it is a key to aging well.
                                              social connection standpoint.         Family and friends who have
                                              Regular exercise can help             shared key life events with
                                              protect you from heart disease        you, the good and the bad,
                                              and stroke, high blood                are the foundation. Gatherings
                                              pressure, noninsulin-dependent        of family and friends around
                                              diabetes, obesity, back pain,         the dinner table on a regular
                                              osteoporosis, and can improve         basis can help sustain a sense
                                              your mood and help you                of connection. The ex-service
                                              to better manage stress. If           community can provide this
                                              the exercise is done with a           connection through a range of
                                              group, then this can increase         social activities, from surfing to
                                              social connection. All of these       volunteering.

    M    aintaining mental wellness and
         general wellbeing can seem
    overwhelming at times. But taking
                                              benefits boost your wellbeing.

                                           2. Sleep – again a strong body
                                                                                  Speaking of volunteering, did
                                                                                  you know that volunteering can
    a deep breath and spending a few          of work that provides the           create a sense of purpose, a
    minutes reflecting on what makes          argument for why sleep is           sense of accomplishment and
    a difference to you, can be very          important, both for restoration     competence, and can boost
    helpful.                                  and repair and for processing       social resources and positive
                                              emotional memories.                 affect? Volunteering can help
    Take your car for example. To keep                                            increase your perception that
    your car running smoothly, you         3. Education – learning something      what you do makes a difference
    make sure it is serviced regularly,       new every day, getting out          to others and that you, as an
    replace the tyres and battery when        of your comfort zone, helps         individual, are an important
    required, check the suspension and        build new neural pathways           part of the world. Volunteering
    fill the car up with the right fuel.      and maintain our brain’s ability    Australia is a place to start if you
    If we don’t do these things our           to change, be agile and be          do not have a particular area
    battery can drain or the suspension       curious about life. A recipe for    you want to focus on. Ex-service
    can wear down — which can be              longevity!                          organisations can also be a place
    especially obvious when we hit                                                to volunteer your time and skills.
    those potholes! We can’t predict       4. Diet – fuelling your body with
    where the potholes are; however           good quality, wholefoods,           All of these activities can boost
    if we haven’t kept up a regular           that your grandmother would         your wellbeing. The key to not
    maintenance regime, we will feel          recognise, is the recipe for        being overwhelmed by the
    every pothole, big and small, as          maintaining a healthy weight,       choices on offer, is to see these
    major events.                             reducing inflammation and           activities as life-long skills to
                                              promoting a good immune             be developed, rather than as
    The same can be said for our lives        system.                             short-term quick-fixes. So, my
    — there will always be potholes, but                                          suggestion is to start small and
    with the right tools, we can better    5. Social support – this is one that   build up gradually with a clear
    weather the potholes of life. When        is becoming more and more           plan of action. Celebrate your
    we neglect basic maintenance and          talked about. We know our           achievements, no matter how
    day-to-day care, even the smallest        brains are wired for connection,    small, and remember there is
    of potholes can feel giant.               as social beings we need            much you can do to support
                                              connection with others for our      and build your own sense of
    So, how can we ensure that we             very survival and wellbeing.        wellbeing.
    maintain optimal health and               Social isolation is a growing
    wellbeing? I am glad you asked.           issue and this has devastating      Dr Loretta Poerio
    There are a range of tools that           consequences for our                DVA’s Mental Health Advisor
    you can have in your tool box,            wellbeing. It is recognised that
    depending on your needs, however          social connection and social

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MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

     Ways to maintain your mental
     wellness as a veteran and carer

T   aking time for self-care can be a confronting concept,
    as for many people it is easier to focus on caring for
others rather than themselves. Achieving a functional
                                                                        “THAT’S THE TRICKY THING ABOUT
                                                                         MENTAL WELLNESS, THERE IS NO
level of mental wellbeing is important, however, in order                 ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION.”
to enjoy life in a meaningful way, rather than simply exist.
I want to share some ways that I have found, through                    “MAKE SELF-CARE A REGULAR AND
trial and error, that have assisted with my own mental                   ONGOING PART OF YOUR LIFE TO
wellbeing. They may strike a chord with you, or they may                      SEE THE BENEFITS.”
not fit your situation at all: that’s the tricky thing about
mental wellness, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The
upside to that is you can try out several different mental
wellbeing solutions until you find something that works
for you.
                                                                   What you do in this time depends on what you enjoy.
I am a veteran, and the carer of a veteran. Each of these          For some, reading a book, gardening, or sitting in the sun
roles brings with it their own mental wellness challenges.         with a cuppa is what recharges their mental wellbeing
                                                                   batteries. For others, it can be going for a run, a swim, or
As a carer, it is imperative to make time for yourself.            walking the dog. Whatever it is, it needs to be something
Note that I did not say “find” time for yourself, because          that you look forward to, that you enjoy, so that it
if you do not make a conscious decision to take time for           becomes a positive date on your calendar, rather than
yourself, it is unlikely to happen. In order to fulfil the carer   another chore to tick off the list.
role to the best of your ability, you need to make sure you
are as well as you can be, both mentally and physically.           For me, I enjoy activities where my mind is occupied,
This means scheduling time for yourself in between the             and leave me with no mental space to worry about all
daily routine of appointments, support, and devotion that          the chores that wait for me. In my case, that means
comes with being a carer. Treat this time as you would             exercise, as I become so engrossed in the activity and
any other appointment: you must turn up and be present             remembering to breathe that I have no time to worry
in order to reap the rewards.                                      about the washing, the cooking, or that we have run
                                                                   out of milk. In the past, I have tried activities such as a
                                                                   bubble bath or meditation as “me time” but found that
                                                                   they did not work for me. I find that continuing to occupy
                                                                   my mind, in addition to removing myself from the house,
                                                                   work best for me to be able to fully immerse myself in
                                                                   the mental wellness activity I have chosen. In addition, I
                                                                   choose solo activities to look after my mental wellbeing,
                                                                   whereas others enjoy group activities or catching up with
                                                                   a friend. Try a few things out and see what works for you,
                                                                   and do not be afraid to swap out things that no longer
                                                                   work for you.

                                                                   My take-away message is this: make the time to look
                                                                   after your mental wellness, do not wait for the time to
                                                                   present itself. You are important, make yourself a priority
                                                                   and take regular action. Find an activity, or activities, that
                                                                   work for you, as you will then be more likely to stick to
                                                                   them. Ensure your self-care activities are not destructive:
                                                                   while alcohol and food can seem tempting, regular
                                                                   overuse of either of these will lead to negative outcomes
                                                                   and decrease your mental wellbeing. If you find your
                                                                   mental wellness is suffering, try and remember the last
                                                                   time you honestly took time for yourself. Make self-care a
                                                                   regular and ongoing part of your life to see the benefits.

                                                                   Kerri-Ann Woodbury
                                                                   Veteran and carer of a veteran

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MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

     Coping with life
                               O   ne of the privileges of being a medical practitioner
                                   is the trust that develops between a patient and a
                               doctor. Illness is a great leveller and can affect anyone
                               regardless of their status, position or station in life.
                               Everyone is naturally concerned regarding their health
                               and we all have a desire to remedy and recover or
                               improve our level of functioning in life as far as possible.
                               As medical students, we learn how to diagnose and
                               treat illnesses. But we are not taught several important
                               aspects of caring and managing health which we learn
                               over the years with experience.

                               Firstly, not all conditions can be     these people have had to work
                               diagnosed. There are times we          through the grief over the loss of
                               have to say “we don’t know”, but       their ability and lost opportunities.
                               we can provide reassurance that        It is a credit to the health staff
                               we have excluded all the serious       and the families who assist in the
                               conditions. Secondly, no two           rehabilitation of such individuals.
                               patients are alike and everyone        My experience is that those with
                               responds differently to illnesses      spinal injuries take pride in being
                               depending on their perceptions,        as independent as possible and
                               education and experience. So we        manage themselves as best as they
                               need to tailor our treatment and       can. They are inspiring in they do
                               management. Thirdly, not every         not wallow in self-pity, or blame the
                               condition can be treated and we        world, or remain depressed.
                               need to accept we may have to
                               live with reduced capability or        These people are successful
                               limitations. Despite the wonders       because they adapt. They learn to
                               of modern medicine, there is no        accept what life has served up to
                               substitute for a healthy lifestyle     them and do what they can. I met
                               for preventing and managing            a young quadriplegic a few years
                               chronic diseases. Fourthly, many       ago who used voice activated
                               people experience more than            software and ran his own company.
                               their fair share of bad luck or        He made the best of his abilities
                               adverse circumstances. Some have       and continued a productive life.
                               experienced deprived or abusive        Sometimes we may have chronic
                               childhoods, or witnessed or been       pain to contend with. We can
                               subject to violence or sexual abuse.   learn to live with this unpleasant
                                                                      condition, rather than continuing
                               What is really amazing is how          to fight against it or seeking
                               resilient some people are despite      unrealistic cures and dubious
                               such adversity. These people           treatments.
                               are successful in adapting to
                               changing circumstances. The most       We all have crises and adverse
                               impressive to observe are those        circumstances to face over our life
                               who have suffered spinal injury,       journeys. We can learn from those
                               such as paraplegia. Of course,         with paraplegia how to respond

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MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

constructively. We can meditate       judgemental environment. This        Another behaviour which is
to address our inner fears, anger,    can be very therapeutic for all      frequently observed in well-
sadness, loneliness and work          involved. But most simple mental     functioning and contented
through the grief or losses we have   health support is provided by        individuals, even in the presence
had such as of relatives, friends,    family, friends and peers. R U OK?   of significant illness or disability,
health, opportunities and jobs.       is a simple strategy which conveys   is doing a small kindness or
Coming to terms with such losses      to another person that you are       similar activity each day for
builds resilience and improves our    aware they may be distressed, and    other people without being
coping behaviour. The alternative     provides an opportunity to express   asked. Small acts of kindness
is looking for quick fixes such                                            are often greatly appreciated
                                      concerns. As the proverb states:
as alcohol, drugs or gambling.                                             and make the recipient feel
                                      a problem shared is a problem
Such destructive behaviours have
                                      halved.                              important and worthy. Such acts
short term gain but cause long
                                                                           also become infectious and the
term depression and despair, and
                                      Support groups are also an           giver is rewarded with a sense
damage our self-esteem.
                                      effective means of obtaining an      of satisfaction, self-esteem and
                                      understanding that others are        meaning. The act of giving takes
Learning to meditate and
accepting challenges in life          or have been through similar         us outside of ourselves and
brings inner peace. A significant     adversities. Of course, if these     provides us with a better and more
role of most health practitioners     emotions remain unresolved,          balanced perspective of life.
is providing support and the          then professional assistance can
opportunity for patients to express   be sought from the usual mental      Dr Warren Harrex
their emotions in a safe and non-     health resources.                    DVA’s Medical Adviser

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MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

      MENTAL WELLNESS
          through exercise
      T   he obvious benefits of
          having an active lifestyle
      or engaging in structured
                                        reinforce a sense of control
                                        over your health and life, as
                                        well as improving self-image.
      exercise on your physical         Together these can help to
      health are long proven,           improve your overall self-
      especially when combined          esteem.
      with a healthy diet. But you
      might be surprised by how         Depression can often come
      good exercise is for your         as a result of other health
      mental and social health.         concerns. Exercise can have
      With one in two people            a positive effect on injury
      who have served in the
                                        and disease prevention or
      Australian Defence Force
                                        progression, which can then
      experiencing a mental health
      disorder in their lifetime,       often reduce the likelihood of a
      studies show that for treating    correlating depression.
      mild-moderate depression,
                                        DVA’s Veterans Heart Health
      increased activity and
                                        program has been providing
      exercise can be as effective
      as talking therapy and            an opportunity for eligible
      medication.                       veterans to make significant
                                        improvements to their general
      Regular exercise increases        health, fitness and wellbeing
      the level of ‘serotonin’ which    for over 19 years.
      plays a role with regulating
      your sleep, libido, appetite      ‘Participating in a group Heart
      and other functions that affect   Health program allowed me
      mood and levels of depression.    to reconnect, work on my
      Regular exercise also increases   general fitness and set me up
      the level of endorphins in the    with a good understanding           coach who I talked with over
      brain, which are known to         on how the choices I make           the phone every two weeks.
      reduce symptoms of chronic        around exercise and diet            Together we set in place realistic
      pain and improve mood status.     affect my health’ said Paul, a      plans on ways to improve my
                                        Heart Health group program          health and fitness. Those regular
      Exercise can be therapeutic.      participant in Townsville. ‘I was   catch ups really helped my focus
      Giving yourself time to           struggling with depression          as well. I was getting bogged
      exercise can allow you to         and choosing to stay away           down by stresses at work and at
      change focus for a period,        from people a lot. Due to my        home. Hearing another person’s
      often allowing you to come        PTSD being in the group was         perspective was a real help. The
      back to concerns with a better    difficult at first but once I got   program also helped with a gym
      frame of mind, and perhaps        into a rhythm the bonds and         membership. This way I could do
      viewing the situation in a        friendships I made have, I          exercise at times that suited me.’
      different light.                  think, helped me more.’
                                                                            To find out more about the
      Exercise performed within a       Sue from Adelaide, a Heart          different ways the program
      group or with a friend, will      Health individual program           can work for you or to confirm
      often provide a platform for      participant, let us know of her     your eligibility, contact the DVA
      you to discuss your troubles      results working with a Heart        program providers Corporate
      or simply help by providing       Health program health coach.        Health Management on 1300 246
      a social outlet to reduce                                             262 or hearthealth@chm.com.au.
      symptoms of loneliness.           ‘As I was working fulltime, the
                                        group program wasn’t the best       Ben Dix
      Getting into a good routine       option for me. The program          National Program Manager
      with your exercise will help to   set me up with my own health        DVA Heart Health Program

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VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

IMPROVING MENTAL WELLBEING
THROUGH SPORT

                                                                                        Sporting activity
                                                                                        can be a gateway
                                                                                        to becoming part
                                                                                        of a social network
                                                                                        and joining a team
                                                                                        again. Whether
                                                                                        you participate,
                                                                                        coach, officiate or
                                                                                        volunteer, sport is
                                                                                        a great way to get
                                                                                        involved in your
                                                                                        local community.
                                                   Narelle Mason, Warrior Games 2019

NARELLE’S STORY
Narelle Mason is a veteran of the       After watching the 2018 Invictus               years,’ says Narelle. ‘I didn’t realise
Royal Australian Air Force. Her story   Games, Narelle was encouraged by               how much of life I was missing
is indicative of the role of sport in   friends to connect with The Road               until I started down this path. It’s
improving mental wellbeing.             Home in South Australia. Through               changed everything for me and
                                        sport she was able to find the                 my family.’
‘Sport isn’t my thing,’ says Narelle.   camaraderie that she’d lost after
‘I’m not great at sport. I never have   leaving the air force. This has helped         Crucially, Narelle’s family has been
been.’                                  her manage her anxiety better.                 with her every step of the way.
                                                                                       Narelle and her husband now plan
After being medically discharged in     With support from Veteran Sport                weekend outings where they go for
2017, Narelle suffered with anxiety     Australia, she even went on to                 walks or play ball, getting the kids
and a lack of focus in her life.        compete at the Warrior Games in                to see how important health and
                                        Tampa Bay, Florida earlier this year.          fitness is.
Things could be particularly tough
when Narelle’s husband was away         Now, she’s able to play actively with          Tim Hodge, RSL NSW
serving on duty. During these times,    her children again. ‘It wasn’t until I
Narelle balanced other parts of her     was a fun mum that I realised that
life with looking after two young       I’d not been a fun mum for four
children.

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MEN'S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE - DVA
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

     Inaugural National
       FEARLESS PTSD CONFERENCE

              The inaugural
          FearLess National
      Conversation on Post-
           Traumatic Stress
       Disorder (PTSD) was
       held at the Sunshine
        Coast Events Centre
               in Caloundra,
              Queensland, in
           August 2019. The
     FearLess Conversation
            brought together
                                  Belinda Neil from the FearLess Board presenting at the conference

                                      The FearLess Conversation grappled with the extent of the PTSD
     people who have PTSD             problem that faces Australia. Participants heard that approximately
                                      one-in-five Australians live with PTSD. In some communities, this
          and those who live          figure can be as high as one-in-two people. There is also a high

           with and care for          incidence of intergenerational PTSD in families that live with
                                      domestic violence. Some of the conversationalists told emotionally-
       them. It also brought          charged personal stories about their lives with PTSD – how they
                                      got it, how they live with it, and what they do to manage it. Others
       together members of            told stories about how they care for their parents, partners and
                                      children who have PTSD.
        many communities,
                                      The FearLess Conversation also drew hope from remarkable new
         including veterans           developments in medicine, neuroscience, psycho-therapy and

       and first responders,          pharmacology, including leading edge research being conducted
                                      at the Sunshine Coast Mind & Neuroscience - Thompson Institute.
        that provide support          It highlighted the need for an integrated, holistic approach to the
                                      diagnosis, management and treatment of PTSD that is inclusive
     mechanisms for those             of all Australians. It also identified the importance of the role that
                                      people who do not have PTSD can also play in both reducing
           living with PTSD.          stigma across the broader community to the incidence of PTSD
                                      and in reaching out to PTSD sufferers and their families – building
                                      strong relationships that enhance resilience across the nation.

                                      The FearLess Conversation participants identified the need for a
                                      “FearLess Network” as a medium for:
                                      • Informing and educating doctors, who must be kept up-to-
                                        date as a first line of attack.
                                      • Supporting the community through the future distribution of
                                        key information about PTSD.
                                      • Delivering broad access to initiatives that may reduce its
                                        impact on Australian national life.

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VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

A continuing network conversation on the                  Specifically, this FearLess Conversation        Alex Gerrick, Chief Executive
causes and treatments of PTSD will also assist            identified four initiatives as the foundation   Officer, FearLess PTSD
in demystifying and destigmatising PTSD.                  for the next phase of the FearLess              Australia New Zealand
                                                          Conversation. These will be implemented
The FearLess Conversation identified six                  in consultation with participant agencies
principal outcomes:                                       and associations, as well as inaugural
1. To improve the capacity of people living               conversation participants:
   with PTSD to manage their circumstances                1. Build a common user website for all
   better, we need to accept that the                        first responder organisations and other      ABOUT FEARLESS
   community is the ultimate owner of PTSD                   community service providers to network,
   and its consequences.                                     so that an integrated and best practice      FearLess is a charity that
2. To improve their ability to address                       approach is supported in managing            works with people living with
   individual and community needs, the                       PTSD.                                        the consequences of post-
   organisations and associations dealing with                                                            traumatic stress (often referred
                                                          2. Work with Phoenix Australia as the
   PTSD need to build a variety of networks                                                               to as PTSD). We also help family
                                                             nation’s most experienced PTSD
   to help coordinate service delivery, share                                                             members in any way affected
                                                             management agency in the creation of a
   lessons on what works (and what does                                                                   by it. Our members come from
                                                             body of information on what works best
   not), and ensure that services are provided                                                            all walks of life including those
                                                             in the management of veterans’ PTSD.
   by those organisations and associations                                                                living with PTSD and their
   best equipped to do so.                                3. Begin the construction of a web-based        families or people who want to
                                                             database containing evidence-based           do their bit to make the lives of
3. There is a pressing need for a national                   and evaluated advisory documents             people living with post-traumatic
   repository that provides wide access                      that can assist individuals, families and    stress more enjoyable and
   to materials and documents that assist                    communities to manage the effects of         fulfilling. Our work complements
   individuals, families, communities and                    PTSD in peoples’ lives.                      the activities of other
   support groups to meet the challenges of                                                               community-based organisations
   PTSD and its consequences.                             4. Assist those who participated in
                                                                                                          and government agencies that
                                                             the inaugural FearLess National
4. There is a pressing need for a single                                                                  provide services to people with
                                                             Conversation to identify community
   national voice that can advocate effectively                                                           post-traumatic stress. For further
                                                             needs and expectations and feed
   for the many Australians suffering from                                                                information: www.fearless.org.au
                                                             information back to FearLess so we
   and living with PTSD.                                     can build an increasingly dynamic
5. To simplify the understanding of PTSD                     community engagement program.
   through education and engagement of the
   community, and to normalize and promote
   acceptance of people with PTSD, a single
   point of entry to an evidence-based and
   properly evaluated set of diagnostic and
   management tools should be provided.
6. The community should build on and
   continue the national conversation by
   convening at regular intervals to review
   progress and identify new avenues for
   improved PTSD management.

              The FearLess Chairman, Board members
          and Chief Executive Officer altogether at the
                                            conference

                                                                                                                                               11
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

      R E S O U R C E S I N S U P P O R T O F M E N TA L W E L L N E S S

                                                                             F  amilies play a critical role supporting current and former
                                                                                Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, so it’s vital
                                                                             that they are supported themselves.
     Supporting
     your partner                                                            The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has partnered with
                                                                             Phoenix Australia to develop a series of booklets to support
     Coping with trauma
                                                                             the families of serving, transitioning, or ex-serving members
     in a military family                                                    of the ADF who are experiencing mental health concerns
                                                                             following trauma.

                                      Helping                                When launching the booklets last July, Minister for Veterans’
                                      your children                          Affairs and Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester
                                                                             MP said the booklets are another way the Department is
                                      Coping with trauma                     putting veterans and their families first, demonstrating how
                                      in a military family
                                                                             the Government continues to work closely with professional
                                                                             organisations such as Phoenix Australia, to deliver the best
                                                                             resources possible.

                                                                                  The booklets are called:
          Supporting                                                              • Supporting your partner
          your son
          or daughter                                                             • Helping your children
                                                                                  • Supporting your son or daughter
          Coping with trauma
          in a military family
                                                                                  • When your parent is having problems
                                                                                    (intended for 13-17 year olds)
                                         When your                                • What’s happening to my family?
                                         parent is                                  (intended for children 9-12 years old)
                                         having

                                     ?
                                         problems                            The books were developed through a collaborative
                                         For young people aged 13–17 years
                                                                             process led by Phoenix Australia involving the Department,
                                         Coping with trauma                  members of the veteran and defence communities, families
                                         in a military family
                                                                             affected by trauma, Open Arms, and Defence Community
                                                                             Organisation.

                                                                             For those in need of immediate mental health support
                                                                             and counselling, the Open Arms Veterans and Family
                                                                             Counselling Service can be contacted on 1800 011 046.
                                                                             DVA’s online wellbeing portal, at-ease.dva.gov.au, also
                    What’s                                                   provides veterans and their families with information,

                    happening                                                resources and links to services for support with mental
                                                                             health and wellbeing.
                    to my
                    family?                                                  The five booklets are free to download via the Open Arms
                                                                             website, at www.openarms.gov.au/resources/mental-
                    For children aged 9–12 years
                                                                             health-booklets.

12
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

YOUR WELLBEING IS OUR
BUSINESS
                                                         H E A LT H Y L I V I N G A P P S
W     ellbeing is fundamental to a person’s quality
      of life. If we can get it right, wellbeing can
support success when facing difficulties and in
                                                         Many of us carry a smartphone and are often in
                                                         search of fun or useful apps to use daily. If you’re
achieving life goals.
                                                         interested in healthy living apps, then check out the
                                                         review of health and wellbeing apps undertaken
With this in mind, Open Arms – Veterans & Families
                                                         by VicHealth: www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-
Counselling (Open Arms) is increasing their focus on
                                                         resources/vichealth-apps.
the lifetime wellbeing of veterans and their families
through the integration of the successful AT-Ease
                                                         The review team looked at over 300 healthy living
initiative into their services.
                                                         apps between July and October 2018. Selected
                                                         apps were reviewed to see if they had the potential
Currently, Open Arms provides free confidential
                                                         to assist with achieving a healthier lifestyle, then
counselling, group treatment programs, suicide
                                                         each was given a handy rating out of five. VicHealth
prevention training and a community and peer
                                                         doesn’t endorse any specific apps, but it could be
advisor network for service personnel, veterans and
                                                         worth a look to see what might be useful to you.
their families. By expanding services, Open Arms
is now offering a range of tools and resources to
                                                         The team reviewed 28 apps in the ‘mental
assist in the prevention of several of life’s common
                                                         wellbeing’ category. One of the top mental
problems including stress, anxiety and relationship
                                                         wellbeing apps, ‘Unwinding Anxiety’, features daily
troubles.
                                                         exercises, a range of video and audio recordings
                                                         and an online journal. A number of the apps
The Open Arms website now includes popular
                                                         provide methods of mindfulness and meditation,
AT-Ease website pages such as ‘signs and
                                                         while others focus on the principles of Cognitive
symptoms’ and ‘living well’ featuring information on
                                                         Behavioural Therapy. Most of them are available for
nutrition, exercise, social connections and sleeping
                                                         free, although some have prices indicated.
well. Visitors will also be able to access four mobile
apps – The Right Mix, Op Life, High Res and PTSD
                                                         Also worth a mention, is the Australian
Coach.
                                                         Government’s website Head to Health: www.
                                                         headtohealth.gov.au/, which provides links to
With these extra tools and resources, Open Arms will
                                                         trusted Australian online and phone supports,
be able to further help veterans and their families
                                                         resources and treatment options. If you click on
achieve mental and physical wellbeing throughout
                                                         “veterans” within the “Supporting yourself” drop-
their lives. Veterans and their families can access
                                                         down menu, you can check out a range of useful
Open Arms services 24 hours a day, seven days
                                                         veteran-specific apps and services, including the
a week by calling 1800 011 046. You can also visit
                                                         Operation Life app and PTSD Coach Australia app,
www.openarms.gov.au to find out how we can
                                                         both designed to help manage the mental health
support you in getting the most out of life.
                                                         challenges that can be brought on by life in service.

                    Veterans & Families
                    Counselling

                                                                                                                 13
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

               NOURISH YOUR BODY
 N       utrition plays an important role in
         physical health and performance.
     More and more evidence is now
                                               I N F L A M M AT I O N
                                               Mental health concerns are
                                                                                        LIFESTYLE
                                                                                        FACTORS
                                               associated with increased
     showing the importance of eating                                                   Along with good nutrition, it is
                                               inflammation. The foods we eat
     nutritious food to support a healthy                                               vital to make sure we are adopting
                                               can either reduce inflammation or
     mind and our mood.                                                                 other lifestyle factors that assist in
                                               contribute to it. By choosing foods
                                                                                        controlling stress. Stress reducers
                                               that assist in decreasing inflammation
     We need to start thinking of the                                                   could include being physically active,
                                               we are therefore making the better
     food we eat as nourishment for our                                                 spending time with family or friends,
                                               choice for our body and mind.
     bodies and minds, which gives the                                                  meditating, reading a book or having
                                               Some good anti-inflammatory foods
     opportunity to heal and rejuvenate.                                                a good night’s sleep.
                                               include blueberries, green leafy
     It’s important to eat a variety of
                                               vegetables, fish, legumes walnuts        Approaching mental wellbeing with a
     nutritious foods, and because
                                               and avocado. Processed and fried         holistic viewpoint by looking at food
     colours represent different chemical
                                               foods can increase inflammation. Try     as medicine and lifestyle factors that
     (or nutrient) composition, one of the
                                               eating more whole foods that are         decrease stress and inflammation we
     easiest ways to improve your health
                                               rich in antioxidants and healthy fats    might find that mood disorders may
     is to eat a variety of coloured whole
                                               to reduce inflammation.                  be better managed. Ensuring there
     foods. These colours should come
                                                                                        is plenty of colour in your diet on a
     from plant based foods like fruit,
     vegetables, nuts, seeds, wholegrains,     G U T H E A LT H                         daily basis with a variety of produce
                                                                                        including fermented foods is a great
     legumes, herbs and spices. These          By providing a variety of fresh
                                                                                        way to ensure you are doing the best
     foods can have benefits that include      produce allows your gut to produce
                                                                                        for your body and mind.
     anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant        a diversity of healthy gut bacteria
     properties. By identifying at least       that also contributes to a healthy       Here are some meal ideas to
     three colours on your plate you will      mind. Introducing prebiotic and          implement these healthy habits on a
     be providing your body with a good        probiotic foods including yoghurt,       daily basis.
     start towards optimising your health.     sauerkraut, kim chi or miso on a         • Porridge with blueberries,
     Eating a rainbow every day is one of      regular basis helps promote and            walnuts and Greek yoghurt for
     the best things you can do to ensure      restore gut health. The gut and the        breakfast.
     your nutrient intake is high.             brain have a special relationship        • Chicken wrap with baby spinach,
                                               and communicate regularly with             avocado, kim chi and purple
     So how does food effect your              each other. A healthier gut can            cabbage for lunch.
     mental wellbeing? By making the           mean a healthier mind. Foods with        • Homemade grilled fish and
     right choices with your food can          live bacteria have been shown to           chips with sweet potato and/
     help your mental wellbeing in three       reduce cortisol, a stress hormone          or parsnips served with a mix
     major ways.                               and decrease anxious and depressive        green leafy salad and tomato for
                                               behaviours.                                dinner.
     NOURISHMENT
     By eating a rainbow every day and                                                   The author, Jacqueline Cleghorn,
     ensuring there is colour in every                                                   is a DVA Community Support
     meal you will likely be increasing         Information in this article should       Adviser working in Darwin. With
     your fresh produce and decreasing          be viewed as general information         a Bachelor of Nutritional Medicine
     processed foods. This nourishment             only, and not dietary advice.         and a Masters of Human Nutrition,
     can provide the essential minerals           For specific, personal dietary         Jacqui has a passion for assisting
     and vitamins your brain needs to            advice, you should discuss your         ADF members and the veteran
     support a healthy mood, providing           needs and goals with a medical          community to build healthier
     the ingredients to make the happy            practitioner. Your doctor may          relationships with food. She has
     chemical (serotonin), pleasure and             refer you to an Accredited           researched the nutritional habits
     satisfaction (dopamine), relaxation        Practising Dietitian. You can find       of serving members which can
     (GABA).                                     one near you, and whether they          transition with them to civilian
                                                        are a DVA provider               life, and seeks to provide practical
                                                  www.daa.asn.au/find-an-apd/.           and positive nutrition promotion
                                                                                         messages.

14
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

AND BRAIN
R ECI P E
Heart Foundation Warm Roasted Vegetable Salad                                  ADVICE ON
INGREDIENTS                                                                    ACCRE DITE D
400g sweet potato, cut into 2cm pieces
                                                                               PR ACTISING
2 zucchinis, halved lengthways, thickly sliced                                 DIETITIANS
1 red onion, peeled and sliced into 6 chunks
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
150g cherry tomatoes                                                           A     ccredited Practising Dietitians (APD)
                                                                                     are the nutrition providers registered to
                                                                               directly bill DVA if you’re a gold card holder,
3 large flat mushrooms, sliced into chunks
1 teaspoon baby capers, drained, chopped                                       or if your treatment is directly related to your
1 tablespoon lemon juice                                                       white card approved disabilities. You can find
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard                                                       an APD that accepts DVA cards as payment at
1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped                                               www.daa.asn.au/find-an-apd/
50g spinach leaves
25g reduced fat feta cheese                                                    Good nutrition is vital for physical and mental
                                                                               health. If you are interested in finding out more
METHOD                                                                         about what good nutrition looks like for you,
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.                                                      look at the Open Arms website www.openarms.
2. Place sweet potato, zucchini, and red onion on a lined baking tray,         gov.au/living-well/nutrition.
   drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and dried oregano. Roast for 20
   minutes.                                                                    Changes to your health or living circumstances
3. Add tomatoes and mushrooms on the tray and drizzle with 1                   may mean that you are at risk of poor nutrition,
   tablespoon olive oil, then return to the oven for a further 10-12 minutes   or not meeting your requirements. If you are
   until vegetables are tender and golden.                                     diagnosed with a health condition, you have a
4. For the dressing, whisk capers, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and              major life event or you are moving to different
   remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.                                           accommodation, it can be worthwhile speaking
5. In a large bowl, gently toss roasted vegetables, parsley, and spinach       to your GP about whether you would benefit
   leaves. Add the feta and dressing and toss gently. Serve warm.              from seeing an Accredited Practising Dietitian.

                                        RECIPE AND IMAGE HEART FOUNDATION      If you think that you may benefit from
                                                                               consulting a dietitian, your GP, as your primary
                                                                               care professional, will be able to manage your
                                                                               care, prepare assessments and refer you to the
                                                                               most suitable health professional. Once your
                                                                               GP has provided you a referral to a dietitian,
                                                                               your dietitian will manage your nutrition care,
                                                                               provide you with advice and support to meet
                                                                               your nutritional needs.

                                                                               Tara Diversi, APD, AN
                                                                               National Dietetic Advisor to DVA
                                                                               MND, MBA, PGradDipPsyc, GradDipPsyc,
                                                                               BHSc, GradCertEd

                                                                                                                             15
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

     What are the mental health risks
     affecting Australia veterans, and
     DVA’s Tranform Engage Design team

     A     dvances in medicine have ensured Australians in general
           are living for longer than in previous generations.
     Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics from
                                                                         Dementia is another key problem affecting older Australians
                                                                         and ageing veterans are at even greater risk of developing
                                                                         it. Recent research supports the view that the risk of
     2018 show the average life expectancy for males is now              developing dementia increases with the presence of PTSD
     80.4 years and 84.6 years for women. This is an increase in         and/or depressive disorders.
     life expectancy of 1.7 years for men and 1.1 years for women
     during the past decade.                                             What does all this mean for the health practitioners who are
                                                                         supporting ageing veterans across Australia?
     Among those Australians enjoying greater life expectancy
     are around 82,000 veterans who currently receive treatment
     through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. About 25,000              Dr Richard Bonwick and Dr Geoff Thompson,
     are in their sixties, about 36,000 are aged in their seventies         both consultant psychiatrists at the Anzac Centre,
     and 21,000 are over the age of 80.                                     provide some examples of effective treatments that
                                                                            practitioners have at their disposal to help veterans.
     For veterans, growing older can bring another layer of
     complexities due to the lasting effects of military service.           • For PTSD, older veterans need ‘assertive’
     This in turn can bring challenges for the physicians and                 management. This can include regular
     health professionals supporting those ageing veterans who                psychotherapy including trauma-focussed
     are living with mental health issues.
                                                                              cognitive behavioural therapy, or eye

     Age-related physical changes and the onset of diseases                   movement desensitisation and reprocessing
     like hypertension, heart disease, osteoarthritis and cancers             (EMDR).
     combine with self-worth type questions, such as ‘Have I had            • Medications for PTSD are still effective in
     a meaningful life?’ and ‘What legacy will I leave?’ The lifestyle        ageing veterans but practitioners need to take
     changes that are part and parcel of later life also need to be           care when prescribing medications to avoid
     faced at some point – like retirement, illness, the death of
                                                                              drug interactions and side-effects.
     loved ones, and decreasing independence.
                                                                            • Regular exercise, intellectual stimulation and
     For veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder                social activity and connectedness are also
     (PTSD), ageing can present greater challenges and in later               important to support good mental health and
     years PTSD can re-emerge and the symptoms worsen.                        mental health treatment programs.
     Depressive disorders commonly accompany PTSD, and are                  • Depression is most effectively treated with a
     also common in the older population.
                                                                              mix of pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and
     For some veterans, alcohol-related problems become an                    socialisation.
     issue as the physiological changes that come with age mean             • For ageing veterans with alcohol-related
     the body is less able to tolerate the effects of alcohol.                disorders, the detoxification process can be
                                                                              more complicated, but specific drugs can be
                                                                              used safely, such as naltrexone, acamprosate
                                                                              and baclofen.
                                                                            • Diagnosing dementia when PTSD and
                                                                              depression also exist is complex and needs
                                                                              specialists who can use neuroimaging, such as
                                                                              MRI and PET, and clinical neuropsychological
                                                                              testing.

16
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

HOW CAN THEY BE HELPED?

         Practical support and advice is available
         from the Centenary of Anzac Centre’s
         Practitioner Support Service. The
         service works with practitioners to
         improve the lives of veterans with
         mental health problems. It is a free,
         nationwide service that provides expert
         multidisciplinary support and guidance
         to health practitioners, organisations
         and other professionals working with
         veterans.

         The Practitioner Support Service
         team includes specialist clinicians
         and clinically trained researchers
         with expertise in clinical and
         neuropsychology, general practice,
         social work, family therapy and
         psychiatry. Access to other experts
         can also be arranged, such as sleep
         and pain physicians and rehabilitation
         specialists.

         Please contact the Centenary of Anzac
         Centre for advice when you need it.
         This is a free, confidential consultation
         service for practitioners and health
         professionals which can be accessed via
         email or telephone on 1800 VET 777.

                                                               17
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

     Connecting Female Veterans
     and Families
     “Well done to every woman [at the Forum] for
      coming out of your comfort zone. This is how
                   change happens.”

     In August 2019, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
      (DVA) once again hosted the Female Veterans and
     Veterans’ Families Policy Forum. This year’s Forum
     brought together female veterans and veterans’ family
     members who have experienced, and who continue to
     experience, the impact of military service on their lives.

     The two-day Forum was established in 2016 to leverage
     the lived experiences of female veterans and veterans’
     families to inform future DVA policy and service options.
     The 2019 Forum was attended by around 90 female
     veterans and veterans’ families; almost double the number
     of attendees at previous Forums.
     Since its inception, a key objective of the Forum             non-metropolitan based participants, and with all states
     has been to foster social connections and networks            and territories represented.
     between female veterans and veterans’ families.
                                                                   When discussing how to support the social connections
     Forum participants have consistently highlighted the
                                                                   and wellbeing of the Australian veteran community, Forum
     importance of the networks fostered at the Forum, and
                                                                   participants noted the importance of recognition and
     how connections like these contribute to wellbeing.
                                                                   respect, and explored how these elements are unique
     Reflecting on these connections, participants wrote:
                                                                   when applied to female veterans and veterans’ families.
     “Networking with amazing, supportive women [is so             “Marching on Anzac Day with a tribe of women – it’s just
     important].”                                                  so empowering.”
     “Thank you to all my new sisters in arms.”                    “As the partner of a veteran, his [military] service gave him
     “A great opportunity to be surrounded by wonderful            a sense of purpose and self-esteem. As a family member, I
     women, and to work alongside DVA staff is an honour.”         am proud of those things.”

     To support the concept of inclusion, nominations to           The two day event was filled with stories of passion and
     participate in the 2019 Forum were advertised via DVA         strength, and DVA is grateful to all those who attended –
     social media. This process captured a greater diversity of    your feedback and ideas are being used to inform future
     voices than ever before, with strong representation from      DVA policy and service options.

                                                        “Great ideas. Great comments. New friends. New contacts.”
                                 “The strength of women – especially when combined in a common purpose.”
                               “So many amazing, inspirational women, being strong in the face of adversity.”

18
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

TRY YOGA! What have you got to lose?

A   fter 20 years of military service, a divorcee,
    with unhealthy weight issues and major back
problems, I was full of anxiety and stress; nothing
seemed to be working. Then I listened to a friend
who said, ‘try yoga, what have you got to lose?’.

Ten years ago, I made the first step. With loads
of trepidation, I walked into my first yoga class. A
crowded room full of young, healthy looking, mostly
female, practitioners. I felt uncomfortable and out of
my depth but persisted and by the end of that class
I was hooked. Five years later I did my first yoga
teacher training course and as soon as I taught my
first class, I knew this was my new path.

With my ongoing yoga practice my life has
slowly changed for the better, both physically
and more importantly, mentally. What works for                       Jim’s son, who is one of his clients, practising a
me is the right kind of yoga (evidence based,                         yoga pose with his assistance dog beside him.
trauma aware, therapeutic yoga, and mindfulness
meditation, specifically adapted for the needs of the
participants). Now I have taken this practice into
my life, I have a home practice that manages my          What have you got to lose? I’m involved in
physical and mental health.                              Frontline Yoga, for example, so you could check
                                                         out www.frontlineyoga.com.au for a list of yoga
Based on my experience of the benefits of yoga, and      classes. Or search on the internet for a general yoga
my desire to help veterans, I have been providing        class or mindfulness meditation teacher in your area.
free yoga classes to veterans for the last three years   Most yoga classes are more than welcoming and there
and more recently, free one on one yoga therapy          is no judgment. If you are in the Newcastle area and
and meditation sessions for veterans in need.            are interested, you can contact me.

And it’s not just me. There is emerging evidence to       The author, Jim Geddes, is a veteran, the father
suggest that yoga and meditation/mindfulness are          of an Afghanistan veteran, a yoga teacher, a yoga
beneficial to one’s mental health and well-being. It      therapist and a mindfulness meditation level 2
is another option for you to consider as part of your     teacher with a passion to support veterans and
self-care routine.                                        those who feel they are marginalised. He provides
                                                          private yoga therapy privately and mindfulness
There are classes in Australia that are designed for      meditation sessions (free to veterans) and provides
veterans and other frontline personnel, everyone is       group sessions at private hospital mental health
welcome, all the teachers and studios volunteer their     wards, NDIS centres and Frontline Yoga. Jim is also
time and space because they know the benefits             a member of the Military Brotherhood MMC who
yoga can bring. Frontline Yoga provides 17 classes        actively work at contacting and getting veterans
a week (and growing) around Australia, classes are        off the street. Jim can be contacted through
free to all frontline personnel including veterans and    www.jimsyogatherapy.com.
current serving military.

                                                                                                                           19
MEN’S HEALTH PEER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

                                               Veteran Health
                                               Checks
     VETERAN HEALTH CHECKS                   THE ONE-OFF VETERAN                    MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR
                                             HEALTH CHECK                           A VETERAN HEALTH CHECK
     Staying on top of your health can
     be a challenge especially when          If you have served in the Australian   1.   Find a GP. Every GP across
     schedules are jam-packed and            Defence Force (ADF), you are                Australia is able to conduct the
     it seems like there are a heap          eligible for a One-off Veteran              Veteran Health Check. If you
     of other priorities to attend to.       Health Check at any time after              do not already have a GP you
     You might notice that you’re not        transitioning. There is a Medicare          regularly visit, you can find a GP
     feeling as fit as you used to be,       rebate available for this, which            near you online by searching
     haven’t been getting much sleep         means you can access the service            ‘Health Direct’ or by calling 1800
     or have a lot on your mind. The         even if you are not a DVA client by         022 222. You can also search
     Veteran Health Check is a way to        using your Medicare card. If your           specifically for bulk-billing GPs.
     take charge of your health and          GP does not bulk bill, you may be
                                             required to make a gap payment.        2.   Call the GP practice and ask
     make sure you’re taking action to
                                                                                         whether the GP accepts the
     stay well, identify any concerns
                                             THE ANNUAL VETERAN                          Veteran Card and/or bulk bills.
     and get treatment early when
                                             HEALTH CHECK                                Payment for Annual Veteran
     you need it. It is a comprehensive
                                                                                         Health checks are done using
     physical and mental health              All former serving members of the           your DVA Veteran Card. You
     assessment designed especially          ADF who transition from 1 July              should ask whether your GP
     for veterans.                           2019 can gain access to a fully-            accepts the Veteran Card before
                                             funded comprehensive Annual                 booking your health check. If
     Even if you are feeling healthy, it’s
                                             Veteran Health Check from a GP              you are asking about the One-off
     good to develop a relationship
                                             every year for the first five years         Veteran Health Check, ask if the
     with your GP so they can get to
                                             after transition. Veterans will need        GP bulk bills for the consultation
     know you and work with you to
                                             to use their DVA Veteran Card to            and if you need to pay anything
     manage your health over the years.
                                             access this.                                extra.
     It is good practice to continue
     to see your GP every year for a         ONGOING HEALTH CHECKS                  3.   Book a 45-minute appointment.
     check-up so you can proactively         AND MEDICARE                                When you book, you will need
     manage your health and identify
                                                                                         to ask for a longer appointment
     any health issues early.                While you can access a Veteran
                                                                                         than usual. Let them know
                                             Health Check either fully funded by
     There are One-off Veteran Health                                                    that this is for a Veteran Health
                                             DVA, or subsidised by Medicare as
     Checks available for all former                                                     Check. Ask if you can receive a
                                             outlined above, you can ask your
     members of both the permanent                                                       reminder by SMS text message.
                                             GP to do a health check at any
     and reserve forces that are             time after you transition without      4.   Make sure to bring along your
     accessible at any time. Additionally,   using your DVA Veteran Card.                DVA Veteran Card or Medicare
     if you leave the ADF from 1 July        However, you may have to pay                card. All you need to access a
     2019, you can gain access to fully-     some out-of-pocket costs for this           Veteran Health Check is the
     funded Annual Veteran Health            service.                                    details on your Veteran Card
     Checks each year for five years
                                                                                         or your Medicare card. If your
     after transition.                       You can claim a rebate through
                                                                                         GP has any additional
                                             Medicare for some or all of the
                                                                                         questions, they can access:
                                             costs for your GP visits, depending
                                                                                         www.at-ease.dva.gov.au for
                                             on what your GP charges. Bulk
                                                                                         further information.
                                             billing means you don’t have
                                             to pay for your medical service
                                             from a GP. However, not all GPs
                                             bulk bill. You’ll need to pay for
                                             your appointment if your GP
                                             doesn’t bulk bill and claim back
                                             a proportion of this cost from
                                             Medicare.

20
VOL.18. NO.2. 2019

WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE               WHAT HAPPENS IN THE VETERAN             WHO WILL MY VETERAN HEALTH
FOR MY VETERAN HEALTH CHECK?            HEALTH CHECK? WHAT CAN I                CHECK RESULTS BE SHARED WITH?
                                        EXPECT?
To access DVA-funded annual Veteran                                             The Veteran Health Check is
Health Checks you will need to have     Each Veteran Health Check will differ   confidential between you and
your DVA Veteran Card or your DVA       depending on your doctor and your       your GP. If you’re worried about
Client Number. Your GP will also need   needs – if you are worried about any    confidentiality you can ask your
to accept DVA Veteran Cards. You        particular aspect of your health or     GP about the ethical, professional,
can apply for your DVA Veteran Card     your family history, you can discuss    and legal duty they have to protect
and access an electronic copy of your   this with the GP. DVA has developed     their patient’s rights to privacy and
card through MyService at www.dva.      a comprehensive Veteran Health          confidentiality. Your Veteran Health
gov.au/myservice                        Check guide to assist GPs to support    Check results be will not be shared
                                        the Veteran community. You can ask      with DVA, unless you ask your GP
To access the One-off Veteran Health    your GP to use this guide. It can be    to do so (to support a claim, for
Check, you will need to have your       found at: www.at-ease.dva.gov.au/       example).
Medicare card for a Medicare rebate.    professionals/assessment-treatment/
You may need to pay an out-of-          veteran-health-check.
pocket gap payment if your GP does
not bulk bill. You can also pay for     During the health check, your GP
your own Veteran Health Check if you    may provide or prescribe treatment
wish (not claim through your DVA        and refer you to relevant health
Veteran Card or a Medicare rebate).     professionals or for further tests,
                                        (DVA may fund treatment and tests
If you have any questions or concerns   if you have an accepted condition) or
you would like addressed, write them    to DVA services and programs.
down and bring them along to your
appointment.

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