90. Open Arms with Ken Otter

Trigger warning: Depression, PTSD, suicide

 

Welcome to Episode 90 - Open Arms with Ken Otter

 

Making any kind of life change can have a big impact on our mental health, but there are probably very few shifts you can make as big as returning to civilian life after serving in the military.

The trauma that veterans experience can have long lasting effects, not just on them, but on the friends and family around them as well.

That’s why the organisation Open Arms was founded to provide mental health support for Australian veterans and their families.

In this episode I speak with Ken Otter a social worker with Open Arms who has seen the many different ways trauma can have an impact on our veterans mental health and understands the unique approaches required to help them and their families.

 

In this episode Ken shares:

 

-      What first drew him to social work

-      His experiences working in the mental health space in the Northern Territory

-      What exactly Open Arms is and how it helps veterans and their families

-      Therapy approaches used in Open Arms

-      The unique ways he pitches mindfulness to veterans

-      The power of having someone with lived experience to help

-      Why the young age that people join the military has a significant impact on their mental health

-      Why many veterans struggle with having their high level skills dismissed in the civilian world.

-      The many forms of trauma and ways it can be experienced

-      Some of the things to look out for, for those who might be experiencing a trauma related mental illness

-      Why people need to consider their journey to be their journey and not compare it to anyone else’s.

 

Key quotes:

 

“Because you’re in the military and you’ve got this higher order purpose, it’s very hard to come back and stand around a BBQ and talk about what colour your commodore is.”

 

“Trauma comes in many forms.”

 

“Mindfulness is very individual. One person’s mindfulness is another person’s irritation.”

 

More about Ken and Open Arms

 

You can find out more about Open Arms here: https://www.openarms.gov.au/

And follow them on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenArmsVeteransAndFamiliesCounselling

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openarmspeers

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openarms/

You can also ring the Open Arms 24/7 number on 1800 011 046.

You can also follow Ken on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-otter-03342733/?originalSubdomain=au

Ken also mentioned the Netflix mini series called “True Colours” that he believes portrays the cultural differences in the Northern Territory quite well.

 

For more from Mindful Men

Check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au

 

You can also follow us on social media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus

Instagram: @mindful.men.aus

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

 

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon