170.Open Arms-All you need to know about the NEW Model of Care & accessing Mental Health support
Release Date: 06/13/2024
192.Intro to Defence Life for New Spouses PART THREE
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, you’ve got me, or should I say, I’ve got you! I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. In PART THREE, I talk all about; -Partner employment assistance program (PEAP) -The ADF Family Health Program -Mental health support via Open Arms and ADF Chaplains -Help with sourcing childcare for Defence children...
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191.Intro to Defence Life for New Spouses PART TWO
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, you’ve got me, or should I say, I’ve got you! I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. On PART TWO, I talk all about two big Defence Life topics; -Housing options and Defence Housing Australia (DHA) -TOLL the organisation tasked with moving us to and from our posting locations We also hear from a handful of Defence...
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190.Intro to Defence Life for New Spouses PART ONE
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, you’ve got me or should I say, I’ve got you! I thought I would put together an episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. We also hear from a handful of Defence Partners who have previously detailed their spouse journey with us on past episodes. Defence Partners Nicole, Rae, Katie and Amanda talk about what it’s really like to become a Defence Partner and...
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189.Revisiting the FIRST ever episode of the Military Life Podcast!
Military Life
As part of celebrating 6 years of the Military Life Podcast, let’s revisit the first EVER episode with Defence Partner Natalie. Natalie has experienced separation, multiple deployments, surprise pregnancies, mental health struggles, and so much more in the now 20+years (it was 15+ at the time of recording) that she has been a Navy Spouse. This episode really has stood the test of time. Natalie’s experience of Defence life and her willingness to share her story so that others listening can hear and feel they aren’t alone was truly so amazing, and what this community is all about. ...
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188.A Focus on the Wellbeing of Navy Families
Military Life
This week on the Military Life podcast, I continue my Defence Family Focused conversations with the ADF Service Chiefs, prompted by National Families Week, which took place recently. Episode 188 with Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley is a continuation of last year’s episode with the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond. What is great about this being the second podcast episode focused on Navy families is that it shows a genuine willingness to connect, understand, and communicate directly with families continually. Rear Admiral Buckley and I discuss a range of topics...
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187.A Focus on the Wellbeing of Army Families
Military Life
When I got the call that the Chief of Army Australia, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, wanted to come back on the Military Life podcast ahead of National Families Week 2025, I have to admit I was feeling a mix of emotions. The one at the top of the list- PROUD. Proud because it signalled that Defence Families are being thought about and considered. Proud because it means there has been a shift in the way Defence Leaders are communicating with families, thanks to all of us and those partners who came before us. Proud because it shows the genuine care, understanding, and so importantly, the...
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186.Deployment from the ADF Member's Perspective
Military Life
RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with my Husband Scott, who has, just days ago, returned from a 6 month deployment. We speak about; -The ins and outs of deployment from the Defence member’s perspective. -What happens when the ship pulls away from the wharf and sets off on its journey? -How it feels for the Military member to be away from their family for long stretches. -Scott answers all those little questions you might have but never get the chance to ask. Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link to get connected
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185.The Australian Military Wives Choir
Military Life
RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with the National Music Director of the Australian Military Wives Choir, Cath Parsons, about her journey as a spouse and where the idea for the AMW Choir came from. Cath and I also speak about; -How the Choir went from being a handful of people in Canberra to locations around Australia -Why the Choir is about what we do as spouses rather than what our military partners do at work -How the Choir creates a safe space for spouses and why all singing abilities are welcome -Why the Choir isn’t about rank or service with...
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184.The first 12 months of being a Defence Spouse
Military Life
RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Susan, who has just hit the one-year mark of being a Defence spouse. Susan and I speak about; -The huge changes she and her Husband went through during the first 12 months of living Defence Life. -What Susan expected Military life would be like versus the reality. -How she adjusted to going from seeing her Husband everyday to months of separation. -The decision to give birth to their second child without her Husband by her side. -The impact having a second baby alone and solo parenting had on her mental health. -How she...
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183.Open Arms Community & Peer Program-Celebrating 5 Years
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Open Arms Community and Peer workers Jess and Sarah after the program recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary. Jess, Sarah and I speak about; -The Community and Peer program and how it aligns with the mental health supports Open Arms provides. -Why the Community and Peer program was established and how important it is that Peer workers have lived experience. -What draws Veterans and Defence Partners to become Community and Peer workers? -Why Community and Peer Workers are an important part of the Open Arms ‘Stepping Out’ program -How...
info_outlineThis week's Military Life podcast episode is about the FREE mental Health service available to Defence Partners, current ADF Members, Veterans, and their immediate Families—OPEN ARMS and the recently introduced Model of Care.
This week I caught up with Leonie Nowland, First Assistant Secretary of Open Arms, and Dr Jon Lane, Senior Psychiatrist Advisor with Open Arms and member of the Open Arms National Advisory Committee.
In this episode, we speak about;
-Who can access support and services through Open Arms, and when
-What they know about current serving families and their mental health support needs.
-Understanding the Open Arms services the 43,000 clients access with 38% being current serving members and families.
-The introduction of the first Open Arms Model of Care. Why now, how it was developed, and what does it mean for Open Arms clients?
-The importance of setting the record straight when it comes to misinformation surrounding the new Model of Care.
-The confusion around whether Open Arms clients will or won’t have a 3-6 month/10 session limit of support and…. is there a 3 month waiting period before accessing further services?
-The Open Arms National Advisory Committee's purpose and representation of current serving families.
-We discuss whether the experiences of Veterans vs Family Members are different and should be acknowledged.
-Why Open Arms clinicians, peer support workers, and contractors are military-aware and what that means when it comes to partners and families.
-Do you have to start fresh with a new Open Arms clinician when you post to a new location, or can you continue with your previous provider?
-Current wait times defence partners, members, veterans, and immediate family are experiencing when it comes to accessing services.
-The trauma defence partners and families experience living defence life and why it is important to acknowledge the various stressors encountered on a daily basis.
-Understanding how and when Defence Kids and Teens can access mental health support via Open Arms and the current limitations.
-Why Open Arms can’t provide services for Australian Defence Partners and Families who post to an overseas location.
-Where to access and read the Model of Care https://www.openarms.gov.au/about/our-model-care
Open Arms is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week FREE service. For further information or to access mental health support, you can call 1800 011 046 or visit the website www.openarms.gov.au
Please note: Anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partner, and immediate family members can access support via Open Arms. Even if you are new to military life and haven't completed your paperwork (to be recognised as a couple), you can still reach out for support, and Open Arms will talk you through whatever you are struggling with and also, if needed, refer you to other services.
Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link below to get connected xx