Referrals are being taken for a pilot program for Northern Rivers veterans living with Post-Traumatic Stress and Substance Use Disorders.
The program will be run by The Buttery, a not-for-profit, charitable mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation organisation based near Bangalow in Northern NSW, and will be funded with a $300,000 grant from the NSW Nationals in the state government.
The Buttery’s Veterans COPE residential recovery program will run for six weeks from May 3, followed by three months of after-care when participants return to the local community.
To be eligible participants must meet ALL the following criteria:
- Be experiencing current symptoms of PTSD, including sufficient memory of traumatic events
- Have a Substance Use Disorder
- Be over the age of 18 years
- Be committed to remaining abstinent from substance use whilst in the program and have undertaken a detoxification program prior to admission
- Be a previous member of the Australian Defence Force
- And not be at imminent risk of suicidal, homicidal, or self-injurious behaviours
Local NSW Nationals Upper House MP Ben Franklin said the program will change lives.
“It makes me incredibly proud to deliver this innovative program to the Northern Rivers and to follow through on an important election commitment I made to the community,” Mr Franklin said.
NSW Nationals Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the program was about helping people rediscover a meaning and purpose in life as well as a positive sense of self.
“This is designed to support all-around recovery for people living with complex mental illness through group therapy, psychoeducation, meditation and exercise,” Mrs Taylor said.
For more information go to buttery.org.au.
