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Traumatic events such as those involving actual or threatened death or serious injury, or witnessing human deprivation (eg. regions ravaged by famine or war), can have a strong impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is one of a range of mental disorders that individuals can experience after traumatic events. PTSD can be distressing with negative consequences for your health and wellbeing. It can affect anyone, but there is help available.
Army, in conjunction with Joint Health Command and singer songwriter John Schumann, have produced a 30-minute documentary designed to address stigma, offer support and raise awareness of the issues surrounding PTSD for Army personnel and their families. Featuring Army members who share their own experiences with PTSD, the movie supports the important message of look after yourself, your mates and your family.
This documentary aims to de-stigmatise PTSD and to show that it can potentially happen to anyone who has been exposed to a traumatic event. Developing symptoms of post traumatic stress after exposure to trauma is not a sign of weakness it is simply being human.
Recovery rates from PTSD are high but early diagnosis and treatment are particularly important. Generally, the longer the symptoms persist, and go untreated, the longer the eventual recovery will take and the greater the disruption to the person's work, family and enjoyment of life.
Singer Songwriter John Schumann, who wrote I Was Only 19, is the narrator of the documentary and helps walk viewers through diagnosis, treatment and effects of PTSD on individuals and their families. John Schumann also shares his personal experience with PTSD in the film.
The booklet and website includes contact details for additional resources including the Army Wounded Digger website, DCO, Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, DVA, Defence Families Australia, Mental Health, JHC, the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and the All Hours Support Line.
All Hours Support Line (ASL)
- 1800 628 036
- http://www.defence.gov.au/Health/DMH/AllHoursSupportLine.asp
Defence Family Helpline (Defence Community Organisation)
- 1800 624 608
- http://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/Defence-Helpline.asp
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling
- 1800 011 046
- http://www.OpenArms.gov.au/
Mental Health
- http://www.defence.gov.au/Health/HealthPortal/MentalHealthOnline.asp
Joint Health Command
- www.defence.gov.au/health/
Wounded Digger
- http://www.army.gov.au/Army-life/Wounded-Injured-and-Ill-Digger
Defence Families of Australia
- www.dfa.org.au
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
- 13 32 54
- www.dva.gov.au
Australian Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health (ACPMH)
- http://www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au/