A new Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling office was officially opened in Stafford, significantly enhancing mental health services for Brisbane’s veterans and their families.
This facility, along with another site in Mount Gravatt, will provide free counselling, group programs, and peer support to the mental well-being of over 60,000 veterans and their families in the Brisbane area.
Each new counselling office will host specialist staff, many of whom are veterans or members of veteran families, equipped to offer military-aware and trauma-informed care. This initiative ensures that the services provided are finely tuned to the specific needs of the veterans and their families.
Established initially by Vietnam veterans as the Vietnam Veterans’ Counselling Service, Open Arms has been a pivotal part of veteran mental health support since 1982. To date, it has provided over 2 million free mental health sessions to more than 300,000 veterans and their family members.
The Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to the mental health and welfare of ADF personnel, veterans, and their families is demonstrated through the expansion of Open Arms counselling services across Brisbane.
Assistant Minister for Veterans Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite highlighted Brisbane’s significant role as one of Australia’s largest homes for veteran communities and noted the facility as the leading specialist mental health service for the demographic.
“Our veterans have given much in the service of our country. Although we can never fully repay them, we can ensure robust support systems like Open Arms are readily available,” he stated.
Open Arms offers specialised, free, and confidential support across Australia and is accessible 24/7 at the contact number 1800 011 046. For more information, individuals are encouraged to visit the Open Arms website.
Published 26-April-2024
