Broken Heroes is a candid blog about PTSD and other Mental Health Conditions that impact on the lives of Ex-Service/Defence personnel, Police (State & Federal), Firefighters, Ambulance officers and their Families.

It is a place where you can feel safe talking about the effects of having or living with someone who is suffering from PTSD.  PTSD does not just affect the person who has the condition; it has an effect on everyone involved in their life; partner, children, parents, siblings, friends and colleagues.

We hope to help create not only a safe and supportive environment for those whose lives are impacted by PTSD but to also create awareness of PTSD and its effects. There is still so much stigma and ignorance regarding PTSD and Mental Health, not only in the wider community but within the Defence and Emergency services themselves.

This blog may contain information of a sensitive nature, which some people may find distressing and while we will endeavour to be aware of this, content will sometimes take precedence for the purpose of education and awareness. We ask that anyone visiting this site to please be respectful and understand that we all have our own opinions,  but this is not the place to bully or be rude just because you think differently. I know I am more likely to pay attention to your opinion if you present it respectfully and who knows maybe you might teach me something I didn't know. We aim to treat everyone respectfully and to support those who become invested in this site.

So who are we…

Sam:- I am the wife and carer of a younger veteran who served in the Royal Australian Navy for 18 years and, was formally, diagnosed with PTSD in 2006, more than a year after he was medically discharged. Our lives and the lives of our four children have been severely impacted by my husbands’ condition. I have spent untold hours learning and researching PTSD to better educate myself and gain understanding. There is still so much lacking in the way that ex-service members with PTSD are cared for and even more so lacking with regards to care for families. I am passionate about changing these conditions.

Rebecca:- I am an author who has a passion for spreading awareness about PTSD. Why, you might ask…Simple, my husband is in the Defence Force and has been on 3 deployments. We have watched our friends suffer with PTSD and the neglect caused by the lack of mental health services available to them. I don’t wish to see this happen anymore. I am a huge believer that the Defence, Police, Fire-Fighters and Ambulance Officers attaining the mental health services they deserve.

Our Country's Shame.

Here, in Australia, PTSD is still a word that hides in the darkness.
It is a word that many refuse to acknowledge and our heroes are taught that PTSD is a weakness, something that they should be immune to. The mistakes of the past continue to be repeated in a vicious and problematic cycle.

All this money is poured into training them, helping them deal with practical situations they might encounter, creating effective armed forces/emergency service personnel, yet when they return home after experiencing the situations they were trained for, is there equivalent funding provided for services to help them deal the emotional toll of their experiences??

There is a lingering culture within the services of not talking about feelings or emotions and “sucking it up”. So often, when faced with unfamiliar and uncomfortable reactions, these heroes shut down.
They are faced with feelings and thoughts they are unable to process, but feel unable to unburden themselves for fear of how they will be judged. Hence the growing numbers of personnel suffering from PTSD.

As a society, we need to change our attitudes and demand that our governments do more for those who give so much for us.
When your loved one returns home you have a certain expectation that they will still be more or less the same person they were when they left, but what do you do if the person you once knew never comes home?

There needs to be more, more support services, more programs, more understanding and awareness to help them  deal with difficulties,to heal their minds and souls.

As partners, we do what we can but there is only so much we can do to help them cope, only so much support we can provide, this is not something we can do without assistance.

I would love to know why there isn’t more funding into the necessary programs.
Why is the Government leaving it up to fantastic voluntary/not for profit organisations, groups and individuals such as the RSL, the many ESOs, Wounded Warrior, Soldier–On and many others?
When will the government realize that it is their responsibility to take care of our loyal heroes. That investing in these support services and programs, providing education and awareness, reducing the stigma associated with PTSD, would create healthier and more stable working environments being a great benefit for all.