By Abbey Cannan
The Tewantin Noosa RSL Sub Branch will soon be hosting a Wellness Forum to provide veterans and emergency services personnel with support.
Each day thousands of veterans and emergency service personnel deal with the ongoing effects of the psychological and physical toll of their service to their country.
Recent research has shown that veterans with mental health issues have a higher incidence of physical disease than the general population.
Tewantin Noosa RSL Sub Branch president Adel Amin said this forum was organised to help combat these issues.
“Our role as a sub branch is to look after our veterans but we would like to extend further to the first responders in our community, because they are equally exposed to the horrors of the daily occurrences,” Mr Amin said.
“We want to help them navigate the system so they are aware of the help that is available for them.
“When it comes to mental or physical health, it doesn’t discriminate. It’s important that if you recognise that you’re not yourself, seek help.”
Sub Branch Wellbeing Officer Lew MacLeod said Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien will be in attendance to officially open the forum as well as Major General John Cantwell who will be a guest speaker.
“Major General John Cantwell is someone that comes with a wealth of experience but has also experienced the issues of the outcomes of service,” Mr Macleod said.
“I’m an ex-nurse, ex-paramedic, ex-military nurse, and so I’ve had two deployments overseas and I’ve had the experiences of the outcomes of what I saw, which is ongoing with me.
“And so that’s where I have the strength in education in implementing the structures that support our individual members as a Wellbeing Officer.”
The forum will take place on Saturday 26 June at the Tewantin Noosa RSL from 8:30am to 2:30pm.
To RSVP to the event call the Tewantin Noosa RSL Club on 07 54471981.
