Open Arms provides mental health and wellbeing support to anyone who has served at least one day of continuous fulltime service in the ADF and their immediate families. We offer a range of services to:
Current serving
Open Arms can help current Australian Defence Force personnel build resilience, and enhance their mental health and wellbeing.
Transitioning from the ADF
Transitioning to civilian life can present unique challenges for even the most accomplished veteran - counselling and group programs can help.
Ex-serving
Open Arms can help all veterans work through mental health and wellbeing issues after they've left the service.
Partners
Open Arms supports partners and some ex-partners of anyone who has served at least one day of continuous fulltime service with the Australian Defence Force.
Family
Open Arms counselling is available to family members of current and ex-serving ADF personnel. Where there has been a death of a service person through suicide, parents and siblings can receive bereavement support.
Children
Being the child of a veteran can lead to a unique childhood. As a parent or carer, you can support your children to build the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are a part of good mental health.
Parents of veterans
No matter how old your kids are, you never stop caring. This page provides resources for parents of those in the serving and ex-serving community, and steps you can take to support your son or daughter.
Siblings
The sibling bond is often strong. This page provides resources for siblings of serving and ex-serving ADF members, and some steps you can take to support your brother or sister.
Carers
Carers have a key role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of family members, partners or friends. Carers have their own unique needs and may also require help or support.
Employers
A growing number of Australian organisations understand that employing veterans and service families makes good business sense. Open Arms has a range of employee services that can complement your existing people services.