RSL Launches Mental Health Initiative

MEDIA RELEASE

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has launched a major initiative to enhance mental health services and support for veterans and their families.

The RSL Australia Mental Health Initiative launches on World Mental Health Day (Sunday, October 10). The initiative is delivered in partnership with Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling and will provide free suicide intervention and mental health literacy workshops at RSL sub-branches nationwide.

President Greg Melick said RSL Australia acknowledged that the challenges and uncertainty caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic had greatly strained the mental health of many within the veteran community.

“We feel it is now more important than ever to uphold the ethos of compassion and service with which our organisation was founded and that is the thrust behind our launch and support of this program,” he said.

“The RSL Mental Health Initiative involves three key workshops: Suicide alertness for everyone-(safe)TALK, Mental Health First Aid, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). 

“It will provide free training opportunities to those seeking to help family, friends, co-workers, or others in the veteran community across the country.

“We see this as an opportunity to develop a solid coordinated approach to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s veteran community.

“This initiative aims to enhance the great work being done by RSL branches across the country by providing further opportunities to support communities through engagement in the RSL Mental Health Initiative.”

Greg Melick said RSL branches had been actively engaging with their sub-branches over the past month to identify those interested in running workshops for their community.

“We would like to encourage those interested in this initiative to contact their Branch for further information or to visit our website for more information: rslaustralia.org/mhi” he said.