Friday, March 29, 2024

“Nine Australians a week commit suicide”

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Alyssa WalkerThe Buloke Times

Of those nine, according to the findings of the ongoing Royal Commission, at least one of them is a veteran.”They tell us to look for the warning signs,” Charlton RSL head, Bill Freeman, says; “but there are no signs.” And how can there be signs, really, when the people themselves feel lost? As it can be with all major turning points in life, with surety and sense of self shaken, there can come danger.

But there are no signs to warn anyone of that. So how large of an impact must a certain turning point have, in order to actually have a sign? Because, for veterans, the point of discharge is by far the most dangerous time. For them, it signifies not only an end to their service, but a complete and utter severance from the military as a whole.

Example

Using cricket as an example, Bill points out how, even after players retire, they are still able to connect with their community in a different way.

“But with the military, it is like a complete severance. A whole redirection of your life. And some people just can’t cope with that,” he said.

For the veterans and cricketers alike, serving their communities gave them purpose. It gave their lives meaning. It gave them worth.

They aren’t the only ones. At some point or another, we have all had something that became our driving force in life, that gave meaning to our choices and actions. And the loss that follows a severance from purpose would be immense.

The loss can’t be said to be unfathomable, because some people have, indeed, had to either fathom this loss, or couldn’t bear to.

For those who have had to fathom this loss, their whole sense of self would have changed. How they relate to the world, to other people, to themselves – everything would feel different. For those who have had to fathom this loss, maybe you can aid those who are still struggling.

First Step

The first step is often the hardest to take, because we don’t know where to even begin, let alone how to begin. Steven Baras-Miller, along with the other volunteers at the Defence and Veterans Legal Service, are providing two different services for people who just want to know where to even start.

The first of these is open for everybody. A series of movie nights and presentations are being held around the state currently, where the film “Living” will be showcased alongside some of the Royal Commission’s findings.

“Living” is a raw discussion about what it means to find purpose in life, and how to go about doing so, and Steven hopes that it is able to offer inspiration/insight to all who seek it.

“There was one woman,” Steven recounted, “who wandered into one of these events completely by accident. She was a town resident who had-n’t even known the event was on. But at the end of it, she told me personally that this had been exactly what she was looking for, and she didn’t even know it.”

These events will be held at Ararat Astor Cinema tonight; Horsham Centre Cinema tomorrow night; and Star Cinema Eaglehawk on April 5. All showings will be at 7 o’clock.

The second service offered by the Defence and Veterans Legal Service is solely for the veterans.

Second Service

The Royal Commission is investigating Defence and Veteran Suicide, but it can’t do that without hearing the stories from those affected.

For anyone who has served at least a day in uniform – or any family members of someone who has served, for this issue is not one that just affects the veteran in question – the Commission is requesting knowledge of anything that affects your mental health or makes your life more difficult.

But sharing can be difficult in and of itself. The Defence and Veterans Legal Service understands this as well as anyone.

Priority

“Our priority is always helping you get a stable footing before you talk to us,” Steven says. “We know that coming forwards isn’t always easy, but your story can help us to make the changes needed to support others who are struggling.”

For any veterans or families of, if you do decide to tell your story to the Commission, Steven wants to reassure that he and the rest of the Defence and Veterans Legal Service are here for you. The story can be given as anonymously as you would feel comfortable with, and there is utmost confidentiality, support, and security for everyone involved (see https://www.defenceveteranslegalservice.org.au/about-us for more information).

If you wish, you can also have a private session with one of the Commissioners. Nothing will be recorded; nothing will be publicly disclosed; all this means is it would simply still allow the Commission to be informed of your story for its final report.

Deadline

Though the deadline for applying for a one-on-one session closes on April 28, written submissions will remain open until October 13 (see https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/share-your-story for more information).

When people feel lost, sometimes they just need a place to start from. Sometimes they just need support whilst they figure out how to rebuild. If these two events can help provide even a handful of people with assistance in how to move forwards again, then it will have been more than worth it.

Reinventing oneself is possible. With help, it might even become probable. If you are someone who is stuck in any form, attend the movie night. And if you are a veteran, the Defence and Veterans Legal Service is here to help you speak to the Royal Commission.

Your story could help more people than you realise.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 21 March 2023.

The Buloke Times 21 March 2023

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