Forum

 
  Back to OzPolitic.com   Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
  Forum Home Album HelpSearch Recent Rules LoginRegister  
 

Pages: 1 2 3 4
Send Topic Print
7 young veterans have taken their lives (Read 3012 times)
mothra
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 34374
Gender: female
7 young veterans have taken their lives
Apr 25th, 2017 at 1:40pm
 
7 young veterans have already taken their own lives so far this year


Aussie soldiers might survive a war only to take their own lives when they return home. Mental health problems like PTSD are rife among young vets, their partners and their kids.

Kiel Goodman remembers curling up in the foetal position on the bathroom floor and hitting his head. He blacked out.

“It felt like a heart attack.”

It was a panic attack.

He had PTSD. He was depressed. He was anxious.

Kiel Goodman is a young war veteran and his experience is alarmingly common. 

"We had no support. We were just given this broken person who we didn't know really anymore and that was it."

Back in 2008, Kiel celebrated his 21st birthday in Afghanistan. He was a gunner in the Australian Army for seven years, and was deployed overseas three times.

While he was on duty or in training, the routine and structure kept him in high spirits.

“You’re parading in the morning, you’re training, you’re doing all this stuff every day. Then you’re on ops, you’re there with your mates.”

But civilian life is another world. So when Kiel returned from a tour of duty, he would drink to numb himself then take drugs to “get some sort of life back, some kind of exciting feeling.”

Dr Peggy Brown is the CEO of the National Mental Health Commission. She’s been studying the reintegration of veterans back into the community.

“People talked about the loss of purpose and identity, that sense of belonging and the camaraderie,” she says.

Between 2001 and 2014 there were 142 confirmed veteran suicides. That makes Australian male military veterans 13% more likely to commit suicide than the general population. And those aged 18 to 29 are most at risk.

Kiel is doing better now that he has found a support network – he evens works with other veterans trying to get their lives back on track.

“Just the asking for help was a massive thing in my life. The only thing I regret is that I didn't do it earlier. Should have put my hand up a long time before.”

"We are training people to go to war. But we're not training them to come home."

Andrew Perry, another young veteran, wasn’t so lucky. He died on his eighth suicide attempt.

Andrew’s partner, Bonny, weeps as she recalls his final days just over a year ago. She says more help should have been offered from the Defence Force while he was still alive.

“We had no support. We were just given this broken person who we didn't know really anymore and that was it.”

Andrew’s condition also took its toll on his step-daughter Kamaia Alexander.

“Going through uni, nobody understood what I was going through. Everyone was just like, yeah, I got wasted on the weekend, and I'm like, I stopped my dad from killing himself on the weekend.”

Dane Christison from RSL DefenceCare, says mental health training needs to start early in a recruit’s career.

“We are training people to go to war. But we're not training them to come home.”



If you are feeling stressed out and would like to talk to someone about it, you might want to in touch with these organisations:

Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au


http://www.sbs.com.au/news/thefeed/article/2017/04/17/7-young-veterans-have-alre...
Back to top
 

If you can't be a good example, you have to be a horrible warning.
 
IP Logged
 
mothra
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 34374
Gender: female
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #1 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 1:46pm
 
'No-one cares, mate': Being a war veteran at 27



Chris May survived Afghanistan. Then came the battle to fit back in to society.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-25/being-a-war-veteran-at-27/8467046?smid=Pag...
Back to top
 

If you can't be a good example, you have to be a horrible warning.
 
IP Logged
 
cods
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 88048
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #2 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 1:49pm
 
we must show them we care... and ANZAC Day  mustnt stop for some of those ret vets...

the DVA has a lot to answer for as far as I am concerned.

I have spoken about this in other threads..
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
bwood1946
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 1598
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #3 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:07pm
 

cods wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 1:49pm:
we must show them we care... and ANZAC Day  mustnt stop for some of those ret vets...

the DVA has a lot to answer for as far as I am concerned.

I have spoken about this in other threads..



Cods dont post about something you know nothing about the support from DVA IS GREAT...

They now even support my son..Son of a VNV
Angry Angry Angry Angry
Back to top
 

TPI  VETERAN
bwood1946 bwood1946  
IP Logged
 
BigOl64
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 14438
Townsville QLD
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #4 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:10pm
 
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:07pm:
cods wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 1:49pm:
we must show them we care... and ANZAC Day  mustnt stop for some of those ret vets...

the DVA has a lot to answer for as far as I am concerned.

I have spoken about this in other threads..



Cods dont post about something you know nothing about the support from DVA IS GREAT...

They now even support my son..Son of a VNV
Angry Angry Angry Angry



DVA now provides mental health support from the first day of enlistment, which is an excellent thing to do for all ex-servicemen and women . 




Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Mr Hammer
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 25212
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #5 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm
 
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
bwood1946
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 1598
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #6 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm
 
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin
Back to top
 

TPI  VETERAN
bwood1946 bwood1946  
IP Logged
 
mothra
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 34374
Gender: female
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #7 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:22pm
 
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin



Then why are so many of them dying?
Back to top
 

If you can't be a good example, you have to be a horrible warning.
 
IP Logged
 
Mr Hammer
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 25212
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #8 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:24pm
 
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin
At least the blokes now have some support.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
polite_gandalf
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 20023
Canberra
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #9 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:26pm
 
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 1:46pm:
'No-one cares, mate': Being a war veteran at 27



Chris May survived Afghanistan. Then came the battle to fit back in to society.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-25/being-a-war-veteran-at-27/8467046?smid=Pag...


Its a national disgrace which should be treated like a national crisis. I believe Jacqui Lambie raised it a while back, but nothing much seems to have come from it. I believe its an insult to the vets to spend huge amounts of money on monuments and parades while depriving the real sufferers of the support and care they need and deserve.
Back to top
 

A resident Islam critic who claims to represent western values said:
Quote:
Outlawing the enemy's uniform - hijab, islamic beard - is not depriving one's own people of their freedoms.
 
IP Logged
 
Mr Hammer
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 25212
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #10 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:27pm
 
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:22pm:
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin



Then why are so many of them dying?
Because the come back traumatised.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
mothra
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 34374
Gender: female
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #11 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:28pm
 
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:27pm:
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:22pm:
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin



Then why are so many of them dying?
Because the come back traumatised.


Indeed. And what exactly is being done about that?
Back to top
 

If you can't be a good example, you have to be a horrible warning.
 
IP Logged
 
Valkie
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 16088
Central Coast
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #12 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:30pm
 
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:22pm:
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin



Then why are so many of them dying?


Because they are made to feel like outcasts in their own country.
They are ignored and if they say anything about their enemies they are ostracised for critisizing other cultures.

They are hounded by those who see what they have done as wrong, but these brave men and women do what they signed up for.
They did not pick their enemies they simply fought them.
They have seen horrors that many soldiers in the past would never have seen
The brutality, the primitive behaviour and the horrors that they should not have been subjected too, and woukd never have had they fought men and not cowards who use women and children as shields or weapons.


Back to top
 

I HAVE A DREAM
A WONDERFUL, PEACEFUL, BEAUTIFUL DREAM.
A DREAM OF A WORLD THAT HAS NEVER KNOWN ISLAM
A DREAM OF A WORLD FREE FROM THE HORRORS OF ISLAM.

SUCH A WONDERFUL DREAM
O HOW I WISH IT WERE TRU
 
IP Logged
 
Mr Hammer
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 25212
Gender: male
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #13 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:34pm
 
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:28pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:27pm:
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:22pm:
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin



Then why are so many of them dying?
Because the come back traumatised.


Indeed. And what exactly is being done about that?
There's nothing that can be done when traumatised. My mate went to Timor and he helped clean up loads of bodies. He used to be the life of the party. I was talking to his brother the other day and he keeps to himself now. He works in the mines and plays the pokies. They'll never be the same.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
mothra
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 34374
Gender: female
Re: 7 young veterans have taken their lives
Reply #14 - Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:37pm
 
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:34pm:
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:28pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:27pm:
mothra wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:22pm:
bwood1946 wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:21pm:
Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 25th, 2017 at 3:17pm:
The blokes from  ww1 and ww2 never got looked after. Many got back traumatised with somebody in their job who didn't fight. There's plenty of scabs to pick regarding our war veterans if we dare to.


Well now thanks the VNV  Starting in 1973 THEY DO AND WELL Grin Grin



Then why are so many of them dying?
Because the come back traumatised.


Indeed. And what exactly is being done about that?
There's nothing that can be done when traumatised. My mate went to Timor and he helped clean up loads of bodies. He used to be the life of the party. I was talking to his brother the other day and he keeps to himself now. He works in the mines and plays the pokies. They'll never be the same.



There i a considerable amount that can be done for trauma.

It's very true that PTSD is very difficult to treat and that resolution from it is unlikely but there are ways of supporting these people that we do not currently employ.
Back to top
 

If you can't be a good example, you have to be a horrible warning.
 
IP Logged
 
Pages: 1 2 3 4
Send Topic Print