Veterans and their families in Brisbane’s east now have improved access to free mental health services with the opening of a new Open Arms counselling office in Mount Gravatt earlier this month.
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The new facility was officially opened on April 16 by Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite, marking an expansion of Open Arms’ services in the Brisbane region. It joins another new office opened simultaneously in Stafford.
“Brisbane is home to one of Australia’s largest veteran communities and Open Arms is the Australia’s leading specialist mental health service for veterans and their families,” Minister Thistlethwaite said.
“Our veterans sacrifice much for the service of this country, they put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us. This is an unpayable debt, but veterans can rest assured that Open Arms is there for them when they need support.”
With over 60,000 veterans residing in the city, the new southside location will make it more convenient for those in Mount Gravatt and surrounding suburbs to access their free and confidential counselling, group programs, and peer support services.
The Mount Gravatt office will be staffed by specialists with military backgrounds and trauma-informed training to provide military-aware care tailored to the unique experiences and needs of the veteran community. Many counsellors are veterans or come from military families themselves.
The facility joins Open Arms’ network of over 30 counselling centres nationwide. With its convenient location, the new southside Brisbane office will help reduce barriers and encourage more members of the area’s veteran community to seek the free, confidential assistance they deserve after serving the nation.
Their Mount Gravatt office is located at Level 2/96 Mt Gravatt Capalaba Rd, Mt Gravatt.
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About Open Arms
With roots dating back to 1982 when it was founded by Vietnam veterans as the Vietnam Veterans’ Counselling Service, Open Arms has an extensive history supporting the mental health needs of Australian military personnel and their families. Over the past four decades, the organisation has delivered more than 2 million free counselling sessions to over 300,000 veterans and their loved ones nationwide.
Today, they offer specialised, confidential mental health support services across the country at no cost to veterans, reservists, and their family members. Their free counselling, group programs, and peer support initiatives are accessible 24/7 by calling 1800 011 046.
Those seeking more details on their comprehensive services and eligibility can visit their website for additional information on this vital resource for the veteran community’s wellbeing and continued care.
Published 22-April-2024