As we pause to remember the men and women killed in combat, we choose also to remember the soldiers lost to suicide and mental ill health.
To soldiers and to the friends and family of soldiers, we pause to acknowledge you today, to say that you matter. The things you’ve seen, the things you’ve lost, the battles that you fight, the dreams that steal your sleep – may we never call them small.
As a community we need to acknowledge the higher rate of PTSD in our veteran community. To the ones who fought for peace and freedom, we hope those things for you. We hope for rest and healing, and innocence again. We hope for people who will listen and the strength in you to speak. May other people know you, walk with you in the questions and recovery. May you get the help you need, the help that you deserve.
We say that we see you, and not only as a soldier but also as a person. Someone not unlike us. You are significant.
Humbly, thank you.
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For 24/7 support, Open Arms provides counselling and mental health services to Australian veterans and their families.
Learn more at https://www.openarms.gov.au/ or visit https://carsforhope.com.au/find-help/ for helpful links and resources.
