143.PART 2-Why YOUR VOICE matters!

<p><strong>TRIGGER WARNING-</strong> There is some discussion of suicide in this episode. If this episode brings anything up for you, please contact FREE ADF mental health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or, in case of emergency, call 000.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Have a listen to Ep142 and PART 1 of this Military Life Podcast episode before listening to this ep.</strong></em></span></p> <p>This week on the Military Life Podcast- Let’s Discuss WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS!</p> <p> </p> <p>In Episode 143 (PART 2) Myself, Defence Partners Marcelle and Julia, Veteran Partner Jo-anna, Veteran Widow and also the parent of a past serving member Madonna and Defence Partner and Psychologist Brooke, discuss why YOUR VOICE MATTERS and NEEDS TO BE HEARD.</p> <p> </p> <p>We also discuss;</p> <p>-Where, we as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, fit when it comes to being included in conversations and decisions related to, and that impact us</p> <p>-How our voices are currently heard and considered via which avenues and opportunities</p> <p>-The comparison between how American Military and Veteran Partners and Families are included and considered vs Defence and Veteran Partners in Australia</p> <p>-The freedom and clarity that comes with being able to have more of a voice once your ADF member has transitioned out of Defence and the reflection that comes with transition</p> <p>-How to work through feeling disconnected from the “cause” (the ADF) and living defence life</p> <p>-Why Defence and Veteran Partners need to be given the tools and confidence to self-advocate more frequently and via various avenues</p> <p>-We discuss how we, as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, are being properly represented if a broad range of us aren’t being engaged and very few of us are being heard</p> <p>-Dealing with feeling let down and unsupported and how to channel those feelings to impact change</p> <p>-The disconnect between research and our qualified needs versus the actual available support and