Therapy Near Me Mental Health Articles

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is a vital Australian Government service dedicated to providing mental health support to veterans and their families. Established to offer free and confidential counselling, Open Arms plays a crucial role in addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by those who have served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This article explores the history, services, impact, and significance of Open Arms, supported by scientific sources and expert insights.

Open Arms was originally established as the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service (VVCS) in 1982 in response to the high incidence of mental health issues among Vietnam War veterans. The service was later expanded to support all veterans and their families, leading to its rebranding as Open Arms in 2018. This rebranding reflects a broader mission to support a diverse veteran community (Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 2023).

The mission of Open Arms is to provide high-quality, evidence-based mental health services to veterans and their families, promoting resilience, recovery, and well-being. The organisation aims to ensure that all veterans have access to the support they need to lead fulfilling lives after their service (Open Arms, 2023).

Open Arms offers free and confidential individual and group counselling services. These sessions are conducted by trained mental health professionals and are designed to address a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship problems, and substance abuse (Open Arms, 2023).

Recognising the significant impact of trauma on veterans, Open Arms provides trauma-informed care, including specialised therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). These therapies are effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related conditions (Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 2023).

Open Arms employs peer advisors who are veterans themselves. These advisors offer support and understanding from a shared experience perspective, helping to bridge the gap between clinical services and the veteran community. Peer support can enhance engagement with mental health services and provide valuable insights and encouragement (Forbes et al., 2013).

Open Arms runs various peer support programs, including group activities and workshops that foster social connections and mutual support among veterans. These programs help reduce isolation and promote a sense of belonging and community (Open Arms, 2023).

Understanding that the well-being of veterans’ families is crucial, Open Arms offers family counselling services. These services aim to address the challenges that families may face, such as relationship issues and the stress associated with a family member’s military service (Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 2023).

Open Arms engages in community education and outreach to raise awareness about veterans’ mental health issues and promote available services. This includes workshops, seminars, and partnerships with other organisations to enhance community support networks (Open Arms, 2023).

Open Arms operates a 24/7 crisis helpline (1800 011 046) for veterans and their families. This service provides immediate support and intervention for those in crisis, ensuring that help is always available when needed (Open Arms, 2023).

Suicide prevention is a critical focus for Open Arms. The organisation provides targeted interventions and support for at-risk individuals, including safety planning and referrals to specialised services. These efforts are vital in reducing the risk of suicide among veterans (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020).

Open Arms has a significant reach, with offices across Australia and the ability to provide services in various formats, including face-to-face, telephone, and online counselling. This ensures that veterans and their families can access support regardless of their location (Open Arms, 2023).

Research indicates that veterans who engage with Open Arms services experience significant improvements in mental health and well-being. For example, a study by Forbes et al. (2013) found that veterans receiving trauma-focused therapies through Open Arms showed marked reductions in PTSD symptoms and overall distress.

The peer support model used by Open Arms is particularly effective in engaging veterans who might be hesitant to seek traditional mental health services. Peer advisors provide relatable and credible support, which can increase the likelihood of veterans accessing and benefiting from available services (Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 2023).

Despite its successes, Open Arms faces challenges in meeting the growing demand for mental health services among veterans. Ensuring that all veterans, particularly those in rural and remote areas, have timely access to support remains a priority. Expanding digital services and outreach programs can help bridge these gaps (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020).

Providing culturally competent care is essential for meeting the diverse needs of the veteran community. Open Arms is committed to enhancing cultural competence within its services, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (Dudgeon et al., 2016).

Open Arms is exploring ways to integrate technology into its services to improve accessibility and convenience. This includes expanding telehealth options, developing mobile apps, and using digital platforms for education and support. These innovations can help reach more veterans and provide flexible support options (Open Arms, 2023).

Open Arms plays a critical role in supporting the mental health and well-being of Australian veterans and their families. Through its comprehensive range of services, including counselling, peer support, community outreach, and crisis intervention, Open Arms addresses the unique challenges faced by veterans. Ensuring the sustainability and expansion of these services is crucial for meeting the evolving needs of the veteran community and promoting resilience and recovery.

Our practice is a Registered NDIS Provider specialising in providing affordable and comprehensive NDIS psychology services:

1. Private clients (non-NDIS funded) can get sessions as cheap as $75 p/s when not on a Mental Healthcare Plan. Clinic locations available in all major CBDs.
2. We are a Registered NDIS Psychology Service Provider and we take on all NDIS participants, including NDIA managed.
3. Our NDIS session rate is around 25% less than the recommended NDIS billing rate for psychology ($165 vs $214.41 p/s). Leaving participants with more funding for additional services.
4. We treat all age groups and presentations.
5. Our 24/7 Telehealth service is available to everyone, anywhere in Australia, no matter how remote or what time of day it is.
6. We provide a home visit service for all metropolitan areas in capital cities around Australia, for the convenience of our NDIS participants.
7. Our experienced psychologists have guaranteed immediate (same week) capacity for new NDIS clients.

• Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (2023). Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling. Retrieved from https://www.dva.gov.au/health-and-wellbeing/open-arms-veterans-families-counselling
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). Veteran health. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/veterans/health-of-australia-veterans
• Dudgeon, P., Milroy, H., & Walker, R. (Eds.). (2016). Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice (2nd ed.). Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
• Forbes, D., Creamer, M., Bisson, J. I., Cohen, J. A., Crow, B. E., Foa, E. B., … & Ursano, R. J. (2013). A guide to guidelines for the treatment of PTSD and related conditions. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26(5), 537-552.
• Open Arms. (2023). About Open Arms. Retrieved from https://www.openarms.gov.au/

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