History
Kids of
Veterans was originally formed in early 2002, as part of the Sons and
Daughters Project - a fully funded initiative run by the Vietnam
Veterans Counselling Service (VVCS). The project was set up with a
focus on suicide prevention amongst children of veterans. Studies had
shown that a child of a veteran was three times more likely to commit
suicide than their peers. It was recognised that there was a need for a
support group in the community that would not only support the children
of veterans, but the family as a unit.
VVCS
contacted children of veterans via their counselling database,
requesting volunteers to come on board as part of the Sons and
Daughters Regional Reference Group. A small ‘core’
group
was formed, with the majority being daughters of Vietnam veterans. From
February 2002 to January 2003 the Sons and Daughters Regional Reference
Group researched veteran and family issues, working together to
organise a number of information evenings for children and their
families. The main goal for this group was to distribute as much
information as they could on anything relating to the Vietnam
War. We recognised that the more information children had,
the
easier it may become for them to understand what their Dads may have
gone through in the past, and what he may be dealing with
today.
We came to realise that many children felt that they were the only ones
dealing with a Dad who was affected by problems connected to his
military service. It is a relief for many of them, when we they come to
discover that other kids are dealing with the same issues.
Early
2003 it was decided through mutual agreement with the projects
co-ordinator and director of VVCS that the group needed to
‘break
away’ from the constraints of the counselling service. Any
ideas
we had as a group, had to be approved by the Canberra office before we
could do anything publicly. This process meant long waits for answers,
and ultimately many of our ideas were rejected on the basis that the
group’s ideas were not directly addressing the main issue of
suicide prevention. Our ‘core’ group did not want
to
disband, as we believed we had made an impact, and that there was a
need for this level of support in the veteran community. We also
recognised that being connected to a service for Vietnam veterans was
limiting our demographic, we wanted to help all kids of
veterans.
As a result of international conflicts in the last year, our veteran
numbers are again on the increase. With this in mind we felt that we
needed to be working with a ‘body’ that would
motivate us
to continue the work we had started.
After
a meeting with the CEO of Hollywood Private Hospital Mr Kevin Cass
Ryall, it was decided that Kids of Veterans would be based at the
hospital and work in conjunction with VVCS. This decision was fully
supported by VVCS, and since our move to Hollywood our working
relationship with the counselling service has developed to become a
strong connection that has been beneficial to both groups. We
have also had support from Ex-serviceman Organisations
(ESO’s) in
the community, particularly the Vietnam Veterans Association (W.A.
Branch).
Kids of Veterans
In
today’s community there are support networks for veterans,
and
there are now a number of groups focusing on the needs of their
partners. However there is very little support for children. Many kids
feel isolated, as they often believe that only their family has
problems, many don’t realise that other kids of veterans are
in
‘the same boat’. Kids of Veterans aims to offer
education,
support, and a communication network to kids in the veteran community.
Support
- an ear,
or shoulder for those who need it.
Education
- to
distribute information regarding our parents service
- to
provide, via seminars and informal lectures, information relating to
post war psychological and
physical health issues
- to
provide information and relevant contacts with regards to what services
are available to kids of
veterans i.e. education assistance, counselling, etc.
Communication
Network
- with
organised information events and social gatherings it is envisaged that
kids will have the opportunity
to meet other kids who may be in that same boat.
To Support, Educate and
Network we will continue to…
- Organise
Information Evenings
Addressing issues relating to family relationships, parenting skills,
and veteran health.
- Hold
informal Coffee Mornings, at ANZAC Cottage
We
believe that these informal gatherings allow kids to relax and talk,
which is what many of us
need. A number of KV members run each morning, with an
invited veteran from VVA
attending to answer some of those questions many of us may
not have asked our own Dad’s. These
mornings were well received with all involved getting something out of the discussions.
The
positive feedback has inspired us to continue these events in 2006.
-
Organise Seminars for kids and their families
In the
past we have run a half-day seminars, which was fully supported by
Hollywood Hospital, with
clinical staff from their PTSD clinic talking about PTSD, alcoholism
and other related issues. These
events are always well attended and we plan to run more in 2006.
Feedback
from Kids has motivated us to look into organising sporting activities
(members of KV are invited to take part in the 2004 City to Surf,
sponsored by Hollywood Hospital), social
events
and family get togethers. Our 2003 and 2005 ‘KV
Brunch in
Kings Park’ have
always been
successful. Everyone always gets into the spirit of the morning -
enjoying Harley
rides, face
painting, fairy floss, KV Rugby test matches, good music, and plenty of
good company. With
funding assistance we hope to make this an annual KV event.
