• safe zone card

    Responding to the situation in Afghanistan

    The veteran community has faced many challenges in recent times. Our resilience and support page offers advice and resources. Or call 1800 011 046 24/7. We are here to help.

    For anonymous counselling services call Safe Zone Support. It's free, entirely confidential and is available 24/7 to all ADF personnel, veterans and their families. Call  1800 142 072.

    Learn more

Who we help

Mental health and wellbeing support for:

Mental health support for Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, veterans & their families

  • Current serving uniforms hanging up

    Current serving

    Open Arms can help current Australian Defence Force personnel build resilience, and enhance their mental health and wellbeing.
  • ex-serving man drinking coffee with partner

    Ex-serving

    Open Arms can help all veterans work through mental health and wellbeing issues after they've left the service.
  • family having picnic

    Family

    Open Arms counselling is available to family members of current and ex-serving ADF personnel, including partners and both younger and adult children. Where there has been a death of a service person, parents and siblings can also access our service.

Signs and symptoms

There are a range of warning signs to look out for that may prevent you from being your best. If you are feeling down or anxious, or worried about what you are doing - there are things you can do, and support is available.

Get support

  • call us 1800 011 846

    Counselling

    Open Arms can provide individual, couple and family counselling to help improve your resilience, as well as enhance your mental health and wellbeing. Call 1800-011-046 for free and confidential 24/7 support.

  • Treatment programs and workshops

    Open Arms offers group treatment programs and educational workshops, relationship retreats, and suicide prevention workshops.
  • ex serviceman and family

    Eligibility

    If you have served in the ADF, you, your partner and your children can access support through Open Arms.
  • confidential

    Confidentiality and privacy

    Open Arms offers free and confidential counselling, and in some circumstances working with the DVA or ADF.

News

  • Woman sitting on park bench

    Homelessness and how to find support

    For Homelessness Week (1-7 August 2021), learn about the risk factors of homelessness in the veteran community, and where to find support for current and former ADF personnel and their families.
  • Friendship group

    International Day of Friendship

    As we celebrate International Day of Friendship on 30 July, Open Arms acknowledges the important role friends play in supporting our health and wellbeing.
  • Angel

    Take Your Dog To Work Day

    We asked some of our peer workers to let us know which pet they would choose to bring to work with them and why.

Open Arms for health professionals

Open Arms provides training and support to all our counsellors, to enable the ongoing delivery of high quality mental health assessment and clinical counselling for Australian veterans and their families