Emotional Regulation Program – NSW Veteran Community

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services is committed to providing the best wellbeing support for current and former serving veterans and their families. This Emotional Regulation program is specifically tailored for the veteran community, to provide immediate skills that veterans can access to support their individual emotional regulation. This project is supported by a DVA Wellbeing Grant.

Why is the Emotional Regulation Program important?

Trauma and trauma-related mental health disorders are common within the Veteran Community. Research indicates that emotional dysregulation is when emotional responses are poorly regulated. This can include marked changes in mood such as angry outbursts, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and other self-damaging behaviours. Over time, these changes can significantly impact one’s quality of life, social interactions, and relationships at home or work.

What is “Emotional regulation”?

“Emotion regulation” is a term generally used to describe a person’s ability to effectively manage and respond to an emotional experience. People unconsciously use emotion regulation strategies to cope with difficult situations many times throughout each day. Emotional regulation has been identified as a key protective factor against suicidal ideation and other associated behaviours that contribute to one’s emotional dysregulation.

How will the program work?

RSL LifeCare led this program in collaboration with these organisations –

Frontline Mental Health Services, AtOne, and Western Sydney University.

The program will include a range of face-to-face and virtual groups, mindfulness techniques and individual virtual reality programs.

Is there a cost to attend any of the sessions or workshops?

The sessions and workshops were free for veterans and family members to attend.

WELLBEING OPEN DAYS

Details:  Our Veteran Wellbeing Centres at Nowra, Dee Why and Wagga Wagga will be hosting a Wellbeing Open Day for veterans and their families.These open days will introduce various techniques for emotional regulation and will showcase local wellbeing programs and services that individuals can engage with.We welcome the community to join us, and to participate in some of the sessions outlined below.  Stay for as long or as little as you like, we hope to see you there!

Dates & Times:

• 1 May 2024, 2-6pm:     Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre (124 Wallace St, Nowra)
• 15 May 2024, 2-6pm:  Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre (Level 4, 932 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why)
• 22 May 2024, 2-6pm: Riverina Veteran Wellbeing Centre (240 Baylis St, Wagga)

Schedule:

• 2pm:       Arrival
• 2.30:       Welcome & Overview
• 2.45:       Sound healing & meditation journey (30minute session)
• 4pm:      Breathwork and seated yoga stretch (30minute session)
• 5.15pm: Toning, breathwork & meditation practice (30minute session)
• 6pm:      Close

To register:
Registration for each event will open soon.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION WORKSHOPS

Details: 
A series of 4 online workshops, running from February to March 2024.   Presenters include RSL LifeCare Veteran Services and AtOne

STRESS RESILIENCE AND FUNCTIONING COURSE

Details: 
An 8 week online course, starting Monday 8 April. Participants are required to attend the 8 sessions which run for 2 hours per session.  Presenters include Frontline Mental Health.

This course is an evidence based peer support program delivered by Lived Experience facilitators, and is aimed at improving stress management, mood regulation, interpersonal communication skills and relationship skills for current and former serving ADF personnel experiencing chronic stress, distress, trauma and mental health challenges.

To register:
Places are limited to 12 only, so please email [email protected] to secure your place in this 8 week course. Please register by 25 March.

To see the weekly course topics, click here

OTHER PROGRAMS RUN BY RSL LIFECARE VETERAN SERVICES:

We also host sessions which provide information that can help veterans and family members prepare for civilian life.

Click here to see other events we are hosting.

Click here to access prior course recordings, and feel free to share them with your contacts who may benefit.