A Sunshine Coast-first trauma recovery treatment program for veterans will launch this month at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital at Buderim.
The program aims to provide veterans with the knowledge and skills to manage their post traumatic stress disorder symptoms and take control of their health in order to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Wallis Westbrook, General Manager of The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital, said this was a much-needed service for the local and surrounding regions.
“We understand there are around 9,000 veterans living right here on the Sunshine Coast and a significant number of these people are struggling, many without any help,” Mr Westbrook said.
“During combat, non-combat and peacekeeping missions around the world over many decades, a number of veterans experienced extremely trying circumstances which are continuing to affect them in the long-term,” he said.
“We are one of only a small number of organisations nation-wide that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) have contracted to deliver a trauma recovery program.”
The program will be managed from the hospital’s Cooinda Mental Health Service, which is the most comprehensive private mental health service on the Sunshine Coast. It is the only centre to provide this type of program north of Brisbane and south of Townsville.
The program will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of specialist mental health clinicians who are experienced in treating and supporting veterans and people with post traumatic stress disorders.
Acting Director of Psychiatry, Dr Chris Martin, said the program will cover areas including trauma-related anxiety, depression, anger, addiction and sleep disorders.
“The aim of the intensive 12-week evidence-based program is to enhance the lives of many in the veteran community by improving their mental health and wellbeing,” Dr Martin said.
“Group and individual therapy will be utilised to learn how to effectively manage trauma-related symptoms and to foster meaningful support networks,” he said.
The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital has been serving the community for 35 years and is part of UnitingCare Health - one of the largest not-for-profit private hospital groups in Queensland which operates more than 1000 licensed beds across four hospitals.
We are now accepting referrals for this program. For more information, please visit www.sunshinecoasthospital.com.au/traumarecovery