6.5 Psychosocial activities for DVA clients and families
As former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), DVA clients often have different needs from the ‘typical’ rehabilitation client. Their employment not only gave them an income and meaningful work, it also provided housing, healthcare, recreational facilities, social networks, training, and a structured career path. In addition, the ADF often require members to relocate every few years, so their community and family support networks outside the ADF may not be well-established. This means that DVA clients, especially those who have recently separated from the military, are likely to have significant psychosocial needs following these losses.
Research by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, now known as Phoenix Australia, shows that a cohesive family environment provides one of the most essential protective factors for veteran wellbeing. However, the impact of military life means the families of DVA clients also have complex needs. As well as possible financial, housing and healthcare needs and a lack of support networks, alcohol use disorder and related domestic violence are higher than average within veteran families, so the client’s rehabilitation plan needs to address the family’s needs as well as the client’s needs.
As the ADF aims to reflect modern Australia's multicultural society it is imperative that DVA also reflects this aim. Psychosocial rehabilitation can provide an opportunity for veterans to participate in culturally appropriate First Nations activities or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) activities as part of their rehabilitation plan.
Types of psychosocial activities
The following table describes some of the short-term psychosocial interventions that may benefit DVA clients.
| Interventions | Examples of Activities |
|---|---|
| Life Management skills |
|
| Self-management of health conditions |
|
| Family functioning - for the client and/or family members |
|
| Social connectedness |
|
| Meaningful engagement |
|
| Cultural activities | • Art and craft activities • Cooking classes • Excursions to community events and on-country cultural experiences • Language courses |
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/6-psychosocial-rehabilitation/65-psychosocial-activities-dva-clients-and-families
6.5.1 Brief intervention counselling to assist with adjustment to disability or injury and/or pain management
As former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), DVA clients often have different needs from the ‘typical’ rehabilitation client. Their employment not only gave them an income and meaningful work, it also provided housing, healthcare, recreational facilities, social networks, training, and a structured career path. In addition, the ADF often require members to relocate every few years, so their community and family support networks outside the ADF may not be well-established. This means that DVA clients, especially those who have recently separated from the military, are likely to have significant psychosocial needs following these losses.
Research by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, now known as Phoenix Australia, shows that a cohesive family environment provides one of the most essential protective factors for veteran wellbeing. However, the impact of military life means the families of DVA clients also have complex needs. As well as possible financial, housing and healthcare needs and a lack of support networks, alcohol use disorder and related domestic violence are higher than average within veteran families, so the client’s rehabilitation plan needs to address the family’s needs as well as the client’s needs.
As the ADF aims to reflect modern Australia's multicultural society it is imperative that DVA also reflects this aim. Psychosocial rehabilitation can provide an opportunity for veterans to participate in culturally appropriate First Nations activities or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) activities as part of their rehabilitation plan.
Types of psychosocial activities
The following table describes some of the short-term psychosocial interventions that may benefit DVA clients.
| Interventions | Examples of Activities |
|---|---|
| Life Management skills |
|
| Self-management of health conditions |
|
| Family functioning - for the client and/or family members |
|
| Social connectedness |
|
| Meaningful engagement |
|
| Cultural activities | • Art and craft activities • Cooking classes • Excursions to community events and on-country cultural experiences • Language courses |
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/6-psychosocial-rehabilitation/65-psychosocial-activities-dva-clients-and-families/651-brief-intervention-counselling-assist-adjustment-disability-or-injury-andor-pain-management
6.5.2 Child care assistance through a psychosocial rehabilitation plan
As former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), DVA clients often have different needs from the ‘typical’ rehabilitation client. Their employment not only gave them an income and meaningful work, it also provided housing, healthcare, recreational facilities, social networks, training, and a structured career path. In addition, the ADF often require members to relocate every few years, so their community and family support networks outside the ADF may not be well-established. This means that DVA clients, especially those who have recently separated from the military, are likely to have significant psychosocial needs following these losses.
Research by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, now known as Phoenix Australia, shows that a cohesive family environment provides one of the most essential protective factors for veteran wellbeing. However, the impact of military life means the families of DVA clients also have complex needs. As well as possible financial, housing and healthcare needs and a lack of support networks, alcohol use disorder and related domestic violence are higher than average within veteran families, so the client’s rehabilitation plan needs to address the family’s needs as well as the client’s needs.
As the ADF aims to reflect modern Australia's multicultural society it is imperative that DVA also reflects this aim. Psychosocial rehabilitation can provide an opportunity for veterans to participate in culturally appropriate First Nations activities or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) activities as part of their rehabilitation plan.
Types of psychosocial activities
The following table describes some of the short-term psychosocial interventions that may benefit DVA clients.
| Interventions | Examples of Activities |
|---|---|
| Life Management skills |
|
| Self-management of health conditions |
|
| Family functioning - for the client and/or family members |
|
| Social connectedness |
|
| Meaningful engagement |
|
| Cultural activities | • Art and craft activities • Cooking classes • Excursions to community events and on-country cultural experiences • Language courses |
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/6-psychosocial-rehabilitation/65-psychosocial-activities-dva-clients-and-families/652-child-care-assistance-through-psychosocial-rehabilitation-plan
6.5.3 Family Support Package
As former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), DVA clients often have different needs from the ‘typical’ rehabilitation client. Their employment not only gave them an income and meaningful work, it also provided housing, healthcare, recreational facilities, social networks, training, and a structured career path. In addition, the ADF often require members to relocate every few years, so their community and family support networks outside the ADF may not be well-established. This means that DVA clients, especially those who have recently separated from the military, are likely to have significant psychosocial needs following these losses.
Research by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, now known as Phoenix Australia, shows that a cohesive family environment provides one of the most essential protective factors for veteran wellbeing. However, the impact of military life means the families of DVA clients also have complex needs. As well as possible financial, housing and healthcare needs and a lack of support networks, alcohol use disorder and related domestic violence are higher than average within veteran families, so the client’s rehabilitation plan needs to address the family’s needs as well as the client’s needs.
As the ADF aims to reflect modern Australia's multicultural society it is imperative that DVA also reflects this aim. Psychosocial rehabilitation can provide an opportunity for veterans to participate in culturally appropriate First Nations activities or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) activities as part of their rehabilitation plan.
Types of psychosocial activities
The following table describes some of the short-term psychosocial interventions that may benefit DVA clients.
| Interventions | Examples of Activities |
|---|---|
| Life Management skills |
|
| Self-management of health conditions |
|
| Family functioning - for the client and/or family members |
|
| Social connectedness |
|
| Meaningful engagement |
|
| Cultural activities | • Art and craft activities • Cooking classes • Excursions to community events and on-country cultural experiences • Language courses |
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/6-psychosocial-rehabilitation/65-psychosocial-activities-dva-clients-and-families/653-family-support-package