Program to readjust

TOWNSVILLE is about to pilot a Coming Home Readjustment Program for ADF members (and their partners) who have recently returned from military operations.

The ADF Mental Health Directorate has given priority to the development of the program because many members are returning from deployed operations and there are well-known side-effects of having served on operations, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Stephanie Hodson, who works in the directorate.

“We know now that many members experience disruptions to their sleep routines, to their relationships with loved ones and that they find it difficult to wind down from having been ‘geared up’ for action for such a long period,” LTCOL Hodson said.

The pilot program will run for groups of six to 10 members of similar rank, starting September 16. It will include advice on operational stress reactions and making sense of operational experiences, re-estabilising a sleep routine, anger reactions, alcohol and drug use, relationships and communications, living a healthy lifestyle and returning to a routine.

Ideally, members will have been home for at least three months before they start the program. Once developed, the program should roll out to other locations.

Inquiries: phone Captain Nicole Gray on (07) 4726 0216 or see www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dhs.

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