Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling 

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is a free and confidential mental health and wellbeing service for current and former serving ADF members and the families of veterans.  

Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

You do not need a diagnosis, referral or DVA claim to access Open Arms. You can get support at any time - whether you are going through a difficult period or simply want to talk with someone who understands military life.  

How Open Arms can help 

Open Arms provides a range of mental health and wellbeing support services, including: 

• Individual, couple and family counselling 
• 24‑hour telephone counselling and crisis support 
• Group programs, workshops and treatment programs 
• Peer support programs with people who have lived experience 
• Self‑help tools, resources and digital health initiatives you can access anytime 

You can choose how you receive support: 

• Face‑to‑face 
• Over the phone 
• Online 

All services are trauma-informed and delivered by professionals who understand veteran and military culture.  

Who can access Open Arms 

Open Arms support is available to: 

• Current serving ADF members 
• Veterans and ex‑serving members 
• Partners, children and immediate family members 
• Former partners within five years of separation or while co-parenting 
• Parents or siblings, where a service person has died  by suicide (or possible suicide) or in a service-related incident. 

If you are unsure whether Open Arms is right for you, you are encouraged to get in touch to talk it through.  

Support for families, carers and supporters 

Open Arms also supports families, carers and people supporting someone who has served. 

If you are concerned about someone you can: 

• Get advice on how to support them 
• Access counselling for yourself or your family 
• Speak with someone who understands the impacts of service life on families 

Looking after your own wellbeing is an important part of supporting others. 

Getting support 

You can contact Open Arms at any time: 

• Call: 1800 011 046 (available 24/7) 
• Visit: www.openarms.gov.au  

Reaching out can take courage. Support is always available - you do not have to manage things on your own.