Many of our meetings tear at heartstrings and our meeting on Monday 26 October was no exception - very informative and emotional.
 
Our members heard Adrian Talbot represent Homes for Heroes which is part of RSL Lifecare - a charitable organisation that was formed in 1911 to provide care to war veterans.  Services were initially provided at Bare Island, Botany Bay, until moving to Narrabeen in 1939.  From small beginnings providing care and service to just a handful of war veterans, the organisation has grown to be one of the largest senior living services in Australia.
 
Adrian told his moving personal story.  Read on to share his story as told to us.
 
Our guest speaker this week was Adrian Talbot a former British Royal Marine Commando.  He has spent time in the RM Police Troop as an investigator and is now the manager for the RSL Life Care Homes for Heroes Program.
 
 The Home for Heroes program provides support for former service members by providing a helping hand in a time of need.  Homes for Heroes aim is primarily to provide accommodation to former service members who have become homeless or have found themselves at risk of homelessness.
 
These individuals face injuries both physical and psychological and offer suffer breakdowns in the family unit.  The Homes for Heroes community stands to provide support and remind these individuals of their sense of belonging and provide them the ability to get back on their feet.
 
Adrian spoke of his time as a RM and his stints in Afghanistan.  Since the Vietnam war soldiers have been trained to shut down and block all emotions to cope with the traumas of combat.  The enemy is unknown as often both women and children are used weapons.  Death and destruction is an everyday occurrence for a soldier on duty and the training they receive is all about survival.  Their training involves programs that would not be tolerated in any other workplace.
 
On leaving the army they are left to their own devices. Due to their training they find they are emotionally disconnected from friends and family and find it very difficult to return to a normal lifestyle are continually on edge suspicious of all around them.
 
This is now recognised medically as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  By definition it is a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and to the outside world.  This leads to alcoholism, episodes of severe depression, domestic violence and suicide. More soldiers in the modern era have died from suicide than war deaths.
 
Currently there is very little support structure nor awareness for PTSD.  Psychological support is essential as part of returning a soldier to a normal lifestyle.  Veteran Affairs estimates there are over 2000 veterans who are homeless or sleeping “rough/couch surfing”.
 
Homes for Heroes provides personal care, medical support and accommodation for veterans who find themselves in this unfortunate downward spiral in life.  They are setting up programs with specialist counsellors, support groups and housing around Australia through RSL Lifecare.
 
RSL Lifecare are also looking for researchers to study PTSD as it affects their veterans so as to have a better understanding of the condition and how to best treat the sufferers.
 
Another very informative and emotional presentation.
 
Adrian was introduced by Bill Lee and thanked by Patrick See.
 
[with thanks to Angelo Raveane]