• Disrupted healthcare journeys.
• The presence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) within military populations, and the close linkage between TBI/CTE and suicidal ideation and death by suicide.
• The combination and accumulation of multiple stressors experienced within military communities; and
• The injury burden experienced by our current and former serving Defence force members and their families.

Calling for support in the improvement of veteran family wellbeing

• Including a role of the NSW Office for Veterans
• Funding the delivery of programs and services through the National Centre for Veterans Health Care which mitigate the unique risk factors associated with poor outcomes for veterans and their families
• Improving military cultural competence of mental health providers within the state
• Screen for adverse childhood experiences and report the findings
• Deliver SafeTALK training within community sector organisations working in NSW; and
• Conduct research into the Defence family population in NSW.

The post Enhancing mental health for NSW veterans and their families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

We know that is simply not true.

This model fails to reflect the lived realities of today’s veteran families, including war widows, who often face significant challenges long before bereavement.

We know this because families and war widows have been telling us this for decades, they have been telling Government departments, Ministers, Royal Commissions, researchers and the media that this simply isn’t true.

The message is clear: the current system does not meet their needs. With widespread reform underway across the veteran support sector, now is the time to make meaningful, lasting changes—both strategically and practically.

Enshrining support in legislation: making families visible

At a strategic level, it is critical that the needs of veteran families, including war widows, are formally recognized in all legislation governing veteran support. Currently, families are not included in the Defence and Veterans Acts, including the most recent version. Without a legal obligation to support families, their significance can only be acknowledged in sentiment rather than through practical interventions that reduce the burdens of service.

With this foundation, things can start to change for families. That’s why we need to start here. By embedding family support into legislation, we lay the foundation for real change. This also ensures that the unique experiences of veteran families and war widows are not overlooked but instead are central to the evolving support system.

Practical solutions for better wellbeing

Immediate, practical reforms can significantly improve the wellbeing of veteran families and war widows. Data shows that compared to the general population:

• Veteran families are 25% more likely to experience suicidal ideation.
• Children of veterans are 9% more likely to experience childhood distress.
• Parents and partners of veterans are 14% more likely to experience psychological distress.
• Veteran families are 21% more likely to experience financial hardship.

To address these challenges, we are advocating for:

• Expanded access to mental health services for all veteran families, including war widows and children.
• Extension of non-liability white card arrangements (mental health support) to families of veterans.
• Removal of time-based barriers to the Acute Care Support Package, ensuring families and widows can access crisis support when they need it most.

These changes will help mitigate the long-term impacts of service on families and provide the safety net they deserve.

Advocacy in Action: Our Priorities for the Year Ahead

Our advocacy efforts this year are focused on four key priorities:

1. Inclusion of veteran families in all relevant legislation, ensuring their needs are formally recognized.
2. Extension of non-liability white card arrangements to families of veterans, including children and war widows.
3. Removal of time-based restrictions on the Acute Care Support Package to allow timely crisis support.
4. Raising awareness of veteran families’ needs and building a network of community champions to amplify their voices.

The post Support for veteran families: building a better future together first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Putting families on the government’s agenda

From submissions to the Senate to meetings with MPs across the chamber, an important achievement throughout the last year was putting the voices, experiences and needs of war widows and families of veterans front and centre.

Throughout the last 12 months key work included making five submissions to federal government inquiries and preparing a detailed response to the Defence and Veteran Family Wellbeing Strategy. We put on the need to change terminology within the new Veterans’ Act on the agenda, and we ensured the veteran community gets to have a say in the legislation that establishes the Defence and Veterans Suicide Commission.

We raise, through state forums, issues relating to the needs and entitlements of war widows under Gold Card arrangements, urging DVA to keep pace with changing needs and demographics. We continue to highlight gaps in support for the children of veterans and advocate for systemic change.

Defence service has consequences for families of veterans

We have consolidated existing data and compared it to the general population. This data tells us that defending Australia has real and clear consequences for families.

• Veteran families are 25% more likely to experience suicidal ideation.
• Children of veterans are 9% more likely to experience childhood distress.
• Parents and partners of veterans are 14% more likely to experience psychological distress.
• Veteran families are 21% more likely to experience financial hardship.
• Partners of veterans are 42% more likely to experience emotional Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and 8% more likely to experience physical IPV.
• 90% of civilian defence partners have made employment sacrifices due to their partners’ defence service.
• Female civilian defence partners of all ages were more likely to be unemployed than women in the broader Australian population.

We know that current support systems do not meet their needs. Our work in supporting families has just started.

The post Advocacy: Reflecting on a year of progress and impact first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

In July we met with the interim Defence and Veterans’ Services Commissioner. We heard firsthand about the significant work going into the establishment of the commission and what its remit would be.

Key priorities and advocacy

We discussed our respective submission to the Senate Inquiry into the enabling legislation with the interim commissioner highlighting some key changes he thought necessary including:

• The need for the Act to be separated from the Veterans and Defence legislation.
• Strengthening and protecting the independence of the Commission.
• Enhancing the reporting and transparency requirements of the Commission; and
• Ensuring the Commission can access the evidence it needs to conduct its inquiries and investigations.

Concurring with all of these points we also highlighted the substance of our submission, calling for two major changes:

1. Strengthening of the objects of the commission; and
2. Ensuring the impacts of families are included within the remit of the commission.

Highlighting that compared to the general population:

• Veteran families are 25% more likely to experience suicidal ideation.
• Children of veterans are 9% more likely to experience childhood distress; and
• Parents and partners of veterans are 14% more likely to experience psychological distress.

Looking ahead: systemic change and next steps

Ensuring that the commission can inquire into the mental health impacts of service beyond a veteran is fundamental to taking a systemic approach to change in our sector. The families of veterans shoulder the human costs of maintaining Australia’s peace, security, and way of life. Defending Australia has real impacts beyond the veteran and those too need to be factored into system reform.

We look forward to seeing how the Commission evolves and being part of the changes within our system. Keep up with our current submissions and consultations by signing up for our advocacy updates here or on our News Page. 

The post Strengthening the Interim Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Are you looking for new ways to connect with your local community? Or have you recently moved and are searching for social connection? Many platforms allow you to explore local in-person or online social groups, whether you’re interested in hobbies, sports, volunteering, or shared experiences. These groups are often centered around activities or events that can help you meet others with similar interests, giving you a chance to bond over something you enjoy while fostering a sense of belonging in your new environment.

These tools can be particularly helpful for war widows, defence and veteran families who may experience, or have experienced frequent relocations, disconnection from family and support networks, or limited social circles due to service-related transitions. War widows, in particular, may face unique challenges in rebuilding their support networks and finding companionship after loss. Engaging in social groups provides an opportunity to find solace, create new friendships and develop a renewed sense of community through shared experiences.

By participating in these social groups, you can explore new places, discover local events and even develop new skills that contribute to your personal growth. Engaging in activities with others promotes emotional wellbeing, builds confidence and offers opportunities to create lasting friendships. Social connection can be difficult when trying to find where to start, so below has provided many platforms and websites available that can be a valuable resource to enrich your life and enhance your sense of community.

“It is when we are most lost, that we sometimes find our truest friends” – Cynthia Rylant.

Resources

Begin your exploration of social connection with these websites:

Wellbeing for Defence and Veteran Families Facebook group – Facebook group community for defence and veteran families

Eventbrite – Finding events available in your area

Meetup – Finding events available in your area

Facebook event and groups – Facebook communities and events in your area

Peanut – Connecting women through all stages of motherhood

The post Social connection online for war widows, defence and veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Picture yourself sitting on a picnic rug under the shade of a large oak tree. The sun is shining down between the bright green leaves onto your lap. You sit next to an art book, its page blank and waiting, surrounded by paint pots in every colour of the rainbow. You hold a paintbrush in your hand, a jar of water glinting in the light, waiting for the adventure to begin. Taking your brush, you wet your paper, letting your mind wander with each stroke across the blank page. Listen to your body. How does it want to move? What can you feel? What might you want to draw and create?

Watercolour painting offers a powerful journey of self-discovery and healing through non-verbal interaction with the elements of water, paper, and colour. In this process, you engage with your inner child, listening, holding, and playing with them as you express yourself through the fluid motion of water and paint. This act of holding space for yourself is a vital part of wellbeing, as it encourages you to check in with yourself and ask, “What do I need right now?” By connecting with these elements, you allow yourself the freedom to express what words often cannot.

Art therapists often use watercolour painting with clients due to its forgiving and unpredictable nature, allowing for deep exploration of one’s inner world and experiences. The fluidity and layered properties of watercolour mirror the process of unpacking and healing from trauma, as it invites you to listen to your body and express emotions beyond words. As you engage in this sensory, mindful process, you may uncover surprising insights and moments of calm, rediscovering parts of yourself in unexpected ways. By letting go of conscious thought and allowing your body to lead, you give your inner child the time and space to heal and express itself freely.

For war widows, defence and veteran families, creative activities like watercolour painting can provide a way to process emotions, find solace, and calm the mind. The act of painting can be a quiet retreat and a great activity for all age groups.

Why not give watercolour painting a try? Register for our upcoming workshop online here.

The post Self care through watercolour for war widows, defence and veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.