Military Life Military Life

This 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
www.militarylife.com.au

Re-released Episode- Military Life Community Connectors EXPLAINED PART 2
 
Maybe you have heard about Military Life Community Connectors, or maybe you want to know more about them. This episode is all about who they are, what they do, and why I felt there was a need for the Military Life Community Connector Program.
 
No one quite gets you like a fellow Defence Partner, but finding and connecting with other partners can be both tricky and nerve-wracking!
 
It took me 10 years to find a Defence Partner friend. Partly because I didn't realise what I was missing out on. Partly because I was downright scared to step forward to connect. Partly because I was reluctant to put my hand up for support. Partly because I wasn't given the opportunity to connect and belong in my community.
 
So, when I finally found what I didn't even know I was missing, that connection and support only fellow Defence Partners can give, I felt a weight lift off of me. I caught my breath. I felt like I belonged and wanted every Defence Partner to have what I had found.
 
That's why I created the ML Community Connector Program and where Community Connectors come in! I wanted to give every Defence Partner the opportunity to CONNECT and BELONG in their community just like I had because I knew in my heart what a huge difference it made having Defence Partner friends in your corner who just got you and defence life.
 
ML Community Connectors play a vital role for Defence Partners by bringing them together to create meaningful connections with each other, offering peer support and information, empowering Defence Partners with confidence to access local and defence community-related services, and acknowledging the importance of belonging.
 
Community Connectors are amazing Defence Partners around the country who have stepped forward and put their hand up to volunteer to help connect spouses in their community- the defence community by providing consistent and welcoming spouse-focused events (on weekends and child-free) that ALL Defence Partners can attend.
 
We currently have ML Community Connectors in Amberley and Enoggera QLD, HMAS Cerberus VIC, Sutherland and Williamtown NSW, Rockingham WA, Adelaide SA, and Canberra ACT. Community Connection events take place regularly (every 6 weeks or so). If you would like to become a Community Connector in your location, get in touch via hello@militarylife.com.au!
 
Have a listen to Episode 168 (PART 1) first to find out more. If you would like to learn more about a Community Connection Event happening in your area, click through to your ML Closed State/Territory Facebook group for details (links below).
 
ACT- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongact/
 
QLD- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongqld/
 
TAS- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongtas/
 
VIC- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongvic/
 
NT- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnt/
 
SA- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongsa/
 
NSW- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnsw/
 
WA- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongwa/

Re-released Episode- Military Life Community Connectors EXPLAINED PART 1
 
Maybe you have heard about Military Life Community Connectors, or maybe you want to know more about them. This episode is all about who they are, what they do, and why I felt there was a need for the Military Life Community Connector Program.
 
No one quite gets you like a fellow Defence Partner, but finding and connecting with other partners can be both tricky and nerve-wracking!
 
It took me 10 years to find a Defence Partner friend. Partly because I didn't realise what I was missing out on. Partly because I was downright scared to step forward to connect. Partly because I was reluctant to put my hand up for support. Partly because I wasn't given the opportunity to connect and belong in my community.
 
So, when I finally found what I didn't even know I was missing, that connection and support only fellow Defence Partners can give, I felt a weight lift off of me. I caught my breath. I felt like I belonged and wanted every Defence Partner to have what I had found.
 
That's why I created the ML Community Connector Program and where Community Connectors come in! I wanted to give every Defence Partner the opportunity to CONNECT and BELONG in their community just like I had because I knew in my heart what a huge difference it made having Defence Partner friends in your corner who just got you and defence life.
 
ML Community Connectors play a vital role for Defence Partners by bringing them together to create meaningful connections with each other, offering peer support and information, empowering Defence Partners with confidence to access local and defence community-related services, and acknowledging the importance of belonging.
 
Community Connectors are amazing Defence Partners around the country who have stepped forward and put their hand up to volunteer to help connect spouses in their community- the defence community by providing consistent and welcoming spouse-focused events (on weekends and child-free) that ALL Defence Partners can attend.
 
We currently have ML Community Connectors in Amberley and Enoggera QLD, HMAS Cerberus VIC, Sutherland and Williamtown NSW, Rockingham WA, Adelaide SA, and Canberra ACT. Community Connection events take place regularly (every 6 weeks or so). If you would like to become a Community Connector in your location, get in touch via hello@militarylife.com.au!
 
Have a listen to Episode 168 (PART 1) and 169 (PART 2) to find out more. If you would like to learn more about a Community Connection Event happening in your area, click through to your ML Closed State/Territory Facebook group for details (links below).
 
ACT- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongact/
 
QLD- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongqld/
 
TAS- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongtas/
 
VIC- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongvic/
 
NT- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnt/
 
SA- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongsa/
 
NSW- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnsw/
 
WA- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongwa/
 
 
 

This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with spouses Emma and Elise about their participation in Cowork Coplay, an amazing program that aims to give Defence Partners the time and space to focus on their career goals and projects, be they related to study, business, or job-hunting.
Emma and Elise went into the Cowork Coplay program, which ran in Adelaide in early 2023, with different expectations, and both walked out of the program with positive outcomes.
 
Emma and I spoke about;
-Why taking part in the Cowork Coplay program gave her the permission and courage to show up for herself and her goals
-The supportive and understanding environment the Cowork Coplay program creates for participants
-How the Cowork Coplay program helped her feel energised and realise she had so much to offer an employer 
-Understanding the value of her skills and deciding to take her career in a new direction
-The confidence fellow participants gave her to be open to new opportunities, apply for jobs, and secure employment by the end of the program
-Connecting with support, services and the Defence community and the positive impact it had on her wellbeing
 
Elise and I spoke about;
-The impact her remote job was having on her well-being and setting boundaries
-How the career development sessions helped her get clarity around whether to stay in her current role or look for new opportunities
-The incredible support and understanding that was offered by fellow Cowork Coplay participants
-Being seen as more than JUST a Defence partner, setting intentions, goals and figuring out next steps to take action
-The importance of having dedicated time to focus on herself and what she needed to get career focus
-How the Cowork Coplay program helped her fall in love with her job again and see all of the positives it had to offer
 
As we heard from Emma and Elise’s stories, it is so important Defence Partners are supported with innovative programs like Cowork Coplay to not only support their wellbeing but also provide the time and space for professional development by combining the things that matter: meaningful work, community and family.
Cowork Coplay programs are delivered by Human Quotient Group, a veteran- and female-led Australian social enterprise. The program was created by Claire Harris, a Defence spouse, informed by feedback from the Defence community, her lived experience and professional expertise.
The good news is that the Cowork Coplay program will once again get underway in Adelaide, South Australia, thanks to the support of Veterans SA and for the first time, the Cowork Coplay program will be available in Perth, Western Australia, with the support of Navy.
To find out more information or register your interest in participating, visit the Cowork Coplay website www.coworkcoplay.com.au

This week on the podcast, my Husband Scott and I talk about our current and past experiences with living apart and being MWDU (Member with Dependants Unaccompanied) or URF (Unaccompanied Resident Family) as it is called now.
In PART ONE, Scott and I also talk about;
•                   How our 5th MWDU experience went and the big decisions we needed to make
•                   Why communication and checking in with each other is so important
•                   How different life stages impact how you experience MWDU & living apart
•                   Finding out our next posting location and the big changes that are ahead
•                   Navigating a defence move after being in one location for 13 years
•                   Supporting our children through their first defence move
•                   Leaving our dream home so that we can finally all be together again
•                   Balancing the many emotions of leaving one location and starting fresh in the next
 
Click through to Episode 166 of the podcast to listen to PART TWO.
Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link to get connected xx     www.militarylife.com.au

This week on the podcast, my Husband Scott and I talk about our current and past experiences with living apart and being MWDU (Member with Dependants Unaccompanied) or URF (Unaccompanied Resident Family) as it is called now.
In PART TWO (click through and listen to PART ONE Ep165 first), Scott and I also talk about;
•                     Why we decided to wait to tell our children we were moving
•                     How we approached such a huge conversation with our children
•                     Shifting from owning our own home to living in a DHA property
•                     Making space to fully experience our new posting location
•                     Focusing on the importance of making a home wherever we all are
•                     Figuring out how to live and parent together again
•                     The things we are most looking forward to when we are back together
•                     The heartbreak that comes with saying goodbye to best friends, our chosen family
 
Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link to get connected xx     www.militarylife.com.au