Townsville’s Mates4Mates centre hosting events for Veteran’s Health Week 2024
As Veterans Health Week kicked off on Sunday, a Townsville-based charity has launched a series of free events aimed at boosting the social, physical, and mental well-being of local veterans and their families.
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As Veterans Health Week kicked off on Sunday, a Townsville veteran’s charity began their week of free events hoping to boost social, physical and mental health for those who have served and their families.
A nationwide initiative organised by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the theme for this year’s Veteran’s Health Week is ‘Keep Connected’, highlighting the importance of community connections for those who have served.
Events during the week include a group trip to the Billabong Sanctuary, as well as a BBQ to create social connections.
Senior liaison officer Kylie Wilton said the charity’s Townsville centre in Aitkenvale regularly sees more than 100 individuals walk through the door on a weekly basis for a range of activities and services.
“We have physical rehabilitation services and mental health services as well,” she said.
“Given the demographic of Townsville and the garrison here, we often get the people that are posted in. We have new families coming through, families that are looking for support due to loneliness and isolation that are wanting to connect with other people.”
A veteran herself, Mates4Mates regional manager Marcia Morgan said the week was an important time for the veteran community.
“Veterans’ Health Week provides an opportunity to discuss how to access help and support for the veteran community and find mateship among others who understand the military experience,” she said.
“At Mates4Mates, we provide a way forward for current and ex-serving Defence Force members and their families experiencing physical injuries, mental health impacts and social disconnection, supporting the community to reconnect and recover.”
For more information about Mates4Mates, phone 1300 4 MATES (62 837) or visit mates4mates.org.
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Originally published as Townsville’s Mates4Mates centre hosting events for Veteran’s Health Week 2024
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