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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 discharged 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.
Types of psychosocial activities
Some of the psychosocial interventions which may benefit DVA clients are:
Life Management skills | Accommodation and housing assistance Financial counselling and skill-building Learning to set goals and plan ahead Developing structure and routines |
Self-management of health conditions | Illness management and recovery programs, including coping with symptoms, medication adherence and relapse prevention - these may inlcude residential programs Anger management Cognitive training Brief intervention counselling such as adjustment to disability or injury or pain management Resilience training and mindfulness Time-limited sporting and exercise programs (see section 5.4.1 of the Rehabilitation Policy Library for the specific policy on gymnasium-pool memberships) Grief and losss counselling Drug and alcohol management Support group participation |
Family functioning - for the client and/or family members | Personal and relationship counselling Parenting skills and support Psychoeducation |
Social connectedness | Social skills training Leisure/lifestyle and sporting activities, programs and courses Social networking Peer-to-peer support programs |
Meaningful engagement | Education courses Connection to community groups (including church/spiritual), clubs and associations Volunteer work |