VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service - services for sons and daughters of veterans
What is the VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Counselling Service – services for sons and daughters of veterans?
VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service provides counselling services and a range of group programs to Australian veterans and deployed peacekeepers and their families, and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance Workers and their families, in friendly and confidential settings around Australia.
Eligible sons and daughters are able to access many of these services.
In response to findings of the Vietnam Veterans Health Study (1998), VVCS also developed the Vietnam Veterans’ Children Support Program, which provides financial assistance to people who are children of Vietnam veterans and who have one of five specific medical conditions.
VVCS staff are professionally qualified psychologists or social workers with experience in working with veterans and their families.
Responsibility for VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service rests with the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Why is this important?
VVCS services for sons and daughters are designed to increase the capacity of the Australian Government to address the mental health needs of sons and daughters of veterans, deployed peacekeepers and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance Workers by:
- providing counselling and group programs
- developing partnerships with local services to ensure that sons and daughters receive appropriate care;
- supporting sons and daughters including case management where appropriate; and
- projects which aim to increase personal strengths, coping skills and resilience of sons and daughters.
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Who will benefit?
All sons and daughters of veterans, deployed peacekeepers and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance Workers regardless of age with psychological, emotional and social needs arising from the impact of their parents deployed, operational or war-like service.
What will VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service deliver for sons and daughters of veterans?
Counselling. Counselling can assist in understanding and addressing a range of personal, emotional and crisis issues associated with growing up in a situation where a parent is affected by war or war-like service. Counselling is confidential and free for eligible sons and daughters.
Support and referral. VVCS staff can link sons and daughters to support networks and resources.
After hours telephone crisis counselling is also available through Veterans Line on 1800 011 046 for veterans and their families.
Psychiatric assessments. Eligible sons and daughters can be referred for psychiatric assessment as required.
Outreach services VVCS provides people living in rural, remote and outer metropolitan areas with access to outreach program counsellors.
VVCS aims to ensure that its counsellors have appropriate experience and skills for working with young people.
Group programs VVCS group programs offer a variety of educative and therapeutic groups for sons and daughters.
How does it work?
Sons and daughters may refer themselves.
Referrals are also accepted from family members, medical practitioners, and education, health and community agencies with the son or daughter's consent.
Eligible sons and daughters can contact the VVCS by phoning 1800 011 046*:
during business hours callers will be connected to the nearest of 15 offices located across Australia;
after business hours callers will be connected with the after-hours telephone crisis counselling service.
For more contact details go here.
* Free local call. Calls from mobiles or pay phones may incur charges.
What funding is attached to this program?
Funding for VVCS services for sons and daughters of veterans is part of the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to provide a dedicated mental health service to the veteran community and their children.
When did these services start?
In response to findings of the Vietnam Veterans Health Study (1998), the VVCS implemented a number of initiatives for sons and daughters of veterans.
For more information go to www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs
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Page currency, Latest update: 18 July, 2011