Peer Kristy

Not knowing who to turn to for help can be a daunting thought. Peer Kristy reflects on her military journey and the success she found in reaching out for support, both from the veteran community and Open Arms.

"My lived experience of military life is pretty expansive. Both as a serving member of the Royal Australian Navy who transitioned medically, and a former spouse of a current serving member, navigating through an involuntary separation.”

I’m now a veteran, my husband is a US veteran, and we’re navigating how that world looks for us raising a young family. After having my third baby, I felt like my whole world was imploding. I was struggling with chronic pain from injuries, and grief around losing my career in the Royal Australian Navy."

"I reached out to Open Arms for support, and credit that support to helping me in finding my feet and building a toolkit of resources to support my mental health. It was such a positive experience, and I was so grateful for the support at the time when I didn’t know where else to go." 

Now an Open Arms Peer who uses her experience to help others, Kristy champions the benefits of building and maintaining strong social connections.

"Holidays can be tough, so creating a network of support during this time can be beneficial. Give yourself permission to connect. Life is hard sometimes, and you don’t have to carry that weight by yourself.”

“In my experience, some families will come together and share in a festive lunch or gather together if they’re posted away from families and support networks. Buddy systems work well too, if you know of someone else who isn’t able to spend the festive season with loved ones, take some time to check in on each other."

Like many people who have their own mental health journey to inspire them, her advice is straightforward, "You are not alone. It’s ok to reach out for support, and there are so many options to connect you with someone."