AN ARMY veteran says help is at hand for ex-military personnel who have dropped off the radar of RSLs and other support groups.
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Craig Hancock is the Bendigo RSL's health and wellbeing officer and he has seen a steady stream of veterans knocking on his door or ringing in since his position was created 18 months ago.
About 60 per cent of them are not members of the RSL, hinting at the wider challenge of keeping in touch with a group of civilians who sometimes have complex welfare needs because of their experiences while serving.
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"We don't actually know how many veterans are in the area," Mr Hancock said.
"It's not a question that's ever been in a national census before, though thankfully it is a question that will be asked in the next one [slated for August 2021] so we will be able to get a good grasp of the landscape."
Helping veterans is an issue Mr Hancock feels passionate about. He serviced with the Royal Australian Amoured Corps and was deployed four times, once to the Solomon Islands and the rest to Afghanistan.
Veterans can have complex welfare needs, especially during their transition back to civilian life, Mr Hancock said.
"We want people to know they are supported and that there are avenues there that they probably aren't even aware of," he said.
Mr Hancock has helped people who were in crisis when he first met them, for example after becoming homeless, though much of the work is geared towards stepping in before problems escalated out of control.
While the RSL cannot directly help people with complex welfare needs, Mr Hancock said it can assist those navigating complex health systems and put people in touch with specialists.
It can also help veterans' immediate relations.
There is no cookie-cutter approach to helping veterans and their families, Mr Hancock said.
Each person has different needs, depending on their age, the length of time they have been a civilian and their experiences while serving.
Some people get in contact with Mr Hancock of their own volition. He contacts others if their friends recommend he gives them a call and let them know he's around.
"The approach we use is to sit down, have a chat and try to look at the situation holistically," Mr Hancock said.
"We want to know the core issues. There might be an issue with paying the rent, but there's no point just paying the bill, we want to drill down to the issue and setting up sustainable, long-term solutions that give them back control.
"Really, though, a lot of that plays out through us catching up over a coffee."
Bendigo's RSL bistro reopened on Monday, the latest step in a broader plan that has also seen the return of in-person activity and support groups the welfare office runs.
"We've restarted our veteran fitness group and we've got the yoga back again," Mr Hancock said.
"Now with the venue reopening we can hopefully get some more programs and events up and running, to get our community physically back together."
To get in touch with the Bendigo RSL welfare office call 5443 4013 or email welfare@bendigorsl.com.au
For 24-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families call 1800 011 046.