What is the VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service?
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service provides counselling and group programs to Australian veterans and peacekeepers and their families. It is a specialised, free and confidential Australia-wide service.
VVCS staff are professionally qualified psychologists or social workers with experience in working with veterans and/peacekeepers and their families.
Responsibility for VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Family Counselling Service rests with the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Why is this important?
The service is important because it acknowledges the unique experience of veterans, peacekeepers and their families.
Who benefits?
All Australian veterans of all conflicts and peacekeeping operations, partners, ex-partners and dependent children of veterans/peacekeepers with issues arising from the veteran's service and war widows, sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans with issues relating to their parent's service and current serving members who are referred to the VVCS by the Australian Defence Force.
What does VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service deliver?
Counselling. Counselling helps individuals, couples and families address problems in their lives with the aim of finding effective solutions for an improved quality of life. Counsellors can help with issues such as stress, relationship and family problems, alcohol and other drugs, and psychological or emotional difficulties.
Group programs. Group programs provide information, education, skills and strategies to support and improve the quality of life of veterans/peacekeepers and their families. Group programs cover areas such as health and wellbeing (including stress and anxiety, depression and alcohol management), relationships, lifestyles, and transitioning from the Defence force into civilian life.
After Hours telephone crisis counselling service 1800 011 046.
Veterans Line is an after hours telephone crisis counselling service operating to assist veterans and their families cope with crisis situations.
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How does it work?
Veterans, peacekeepers and members of their families can refer themselves.
Medical practitioners, other health and welfare workers, the Australian Defence Force and ex-service organisations may refer by telephone, letter or recommend self-referral.
Rural veterans, family members and health service providers can use the toll free telephone number 1800 011 046 to contact the VVCS.
Clients can contact the VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service by phoning 1800 011 046:
- during business hours callers will be connected to the nearest of one of 15 offices located across Australia;
- after business hours callers will be connected with the after-hours telephone crisis counselling service.
For contact details got to www.dva.gov.au/contacts/vvcs.htm.
What funding is the Australian Government committing?
Funding for the VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service is part of the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to provide a dedicated mental health service to the veteran community.
When did VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service start?
The first VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service opened in Adelaide in January 1982. Since this time VVCS has grown and now has offices in 15 locations across Australia. In April 2007, the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service was renamed the VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service.
Further information
For more information - www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs.
Page currency, Latest update: 31 March, 2008