Published in the Tablelander, March 17, 2015
KATHERINE KOKKONEN
THE support network for the Australian Defence Force community is growing, with drop-in times available in Atherton.
The Peer Support Network will open its doors from tomorrow with regular office hours, allowing for ADF community members to more easily access assistance.
Men and women are welcome to come into the Community Services Tablelands’ community hub at 38 Mabel St, from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Secretary Ian Mackay hoped people would feel welcome and visit the office.
“They can come in and talk to us and we can try and fill in the gaps where they don’t get the help in the mainstream community,” he said.
“Ex-ADF personnel can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness and mental health issues.”
Volunteers run the Peer Support Network and would welcome donations and support from the community.
CST chief executive officer Gillian Long said the initial response from the community had been positive.
“There was so much promise of people donating money,” she said.
“People were saying they were gong to support our veterans and every letter that has come is ‘no, no, no, no’. We can’t work out why.”
