The benefits of team sports
Whether playing, volunteering or cheering from the sidelines, team sport can support physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection for veterans, current serving members and their families.
Mates4Mates supports ‘Dry July’ message
01 July 2021
With a self-imposed alcohol break front of mind for thousands of Australians this month, Mates4Mates reaffirms its commitment to being a permanently dry organisation.
With a self-imposed alcohol break front of mind for thousands of Australians this month, Mates4Mates reaffirms its commitment to being a permanently dry organisation.
As men and women around the country put down their drinks in the name of Dry July, many will be experiencing the benefits, both physical and mental, that come from abstaining from Alcohol.
As a permanently dry organisation, Mates4Mates is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment, free of Alcohol, for those veterans and their families impacted by service.
National Clinical Manager, Georgia Ash, says it is a commitment made in the best interest of those veterans and their families impacted by service.
“Alcohol reliance and addiction can be very complicated,” Ms. Ash said.
"It can become a coping mechanism for many suffering from the impacts of service but the ripple effects, on both your physical and mental health, can often compound the problem and lead to long term challenges."
As a dry organisation, we are ensuring all veterans who seek help through our services are given every possible opportunity to achieve their recovery goals, free of the pressures and influence experienced through alcohol consumption
Georgia Ash National Clinical Manager
Mates4Mates has also launched a new course for veterans, ‘Learn more, drink less’, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding about alcohol reliance and gaining helpful coping strategies, including ways to manage cravings.
A pilot of the ‘Learn more, drink less’ course ran online over four weeks earlier in the year, with many participants making positive behavioural changes, including changes to routine, in order to meet their goal of reducing their consumption.
A second round of the program will be offered in person at the Mates4Mates Family Recovery Centre in Brisbane in August.
If any content in this article resonates with you and you’d like to speak with someone at Mates4Mates about seeking support, contact us to find out more about our services.
All Mates4Mates services are available for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members with physical injuries or mental health issues, and their families.
