vShade online support for ex-serving Australian Defence Force
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Online support for Australian Veterans

The vSHADE project is designed to help Australian veterans get the help they want in a safe online environment.

Are you a family member or friend?

Many Veterans face challenges getting back to 'normal' life

There are Veterans who experience difficulties transitioning back into to civilian life.

Maybe you know a mate who is having a hard time?

From speaking to a number of Veterans we understand the challenges that you may face.

  • Simply put, sometimes it can feel your experience is hard for other people to relate to. Normal life back home can feel anything but normal.
  • Discharge leaves you suddenly without structure or routine and the society you have come home to seems concerned only with trivial matters.
  • Your relationships are hard and you even feel like you’re starting over with your long-term partner.

There are better ways to find support and we want to help.

The first stage is a research project called vSHADE.

The main feature of vSHADE is an online community called BreathingSpace. It’s a safe, anonymous online environment where Veterans can share personal experiences and the challenges of dealing with change.

Joining our online community helps you connect with your mates and help us create effective programs for Veterans adjusting to a life back at home.

How one veteran found resilience

Wayne McMurtrie is an Australian Army Veteran of four operational tours and ultramarathon runner who founded Run For Resilience. This year, Wayne will undertake a 350km run over 7 days from Delegate to Goulburn, retracing the steps of the of the historic WW1 Men from Snowy River Recruitment March.

The vSHADE team is a proud sponsor of the Run for Resilience which raises funds and awareness to support Veterans, First Responders and their families.

"After Afghanistan I struggled coming home. I faced many challenges, it was difficult to relate with my family and friends, even those who had also seen service. vSHADE provides a community and purpose, helping you to find what is really important to you. If this program was available in 2011, life would have been a lot easier. vSHADE can help you on your own journey home."

-Wayne McMurtrie

Join the commnity RUN FOR RESILIENCE

What is the vSHADE project?

vSHADE is a research project created for Australian Veterans. The project is designed to test the effectiveness of online evidence-based treatment for improving resilience, mental health and general wellbeing (as well as reducing alcohol use).

This project includes:

  • An online, anonymous community called BreathingSpace where Veterans can come together to share experiences and support one another.
  • A quick online survey to determine if you are eligible to participate, followed by a longer, optional survey to assess your moods, drinking habits and how you deal with stress.
  • An online program called SHADE consisting of 10 sessions to deal with depression and alcohol use. This part of the program is offered to certain survey participants based on their responses.

If you get involved, not only could you be helping yourself, but you’ll also be helping us create programs for Veterans to address the challenges of post-military life.

The vSHADE project is funded and fully supported by the Defence Health Foundation to better understand the needs of Veterans and provide them with online support.

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How do you get involved?

The first thing to do is join BreathingSpace. It’s a safe and anonymous online community for Veterans to share their experiences with others who are dealing with the same issues and challenges.

You may also like to take the survey. It asks a few quick questions about your age and service history to determine your eligibility for the program. If you are eligible, you’ll be invited to undertake a more detailed survey. It’s optional and completely anonymous.

We’re here to provide an environment to help you if you want it, but your participation is entirely up to you.

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How the project works

Take the survey

5 MINUTES

An online community that is safe and anonymous. It’s a supportive environment where you can share your experiences with other Veterans who are in a similar situation to you. Join BreathingSpace

Take the survey

JOIN BREATHING SPACE

An online community that is safe and anonymous. It’s a supportive environment where you can share your experiences with other Veterans who are in a similar situation. Join BreathingSpace.

Take the survey

5 MINUTES

The first step is to see if you are eligible to participate by answering a few quick questions about your age and service history.

Take the survey

PRE-SHADE ASSESSMENT

30 MINUTES

Eligible Veterans will be forwarded to the more detailed pre-SHADE assessment. Most of the questions require a simple check box answer, and you can opt out of some parts if you choose.

ONLINE TREATMENT PROGRAM

Some research participants will be provided with access to SHADE, an online program consisting of 10 weekly sessions. Designed by clinical psychologists and other experts, this treatment approach has proven to be effective among the general population.

POST-SHADE FOLLOW UP

30 MINUTES

After you have completed the treatment part of the program you will be invited to do another survey (similar to the one you did at the start of the program) to see how things went for you and if your situation changed. This will help our research team understand the effectiveness of the program.

MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROJECT

IS vSHADE right for you?

We understand that you may have some hesitation in getting involved in a program such as vSHADE. But at the very least, if you join the online community, you might get some immediate benefits from sharing your experiences with other Veterans who understand.

And if you decide to take the online survey, you’re not obliged to do anything further. What happens after that is entirely up to you.

You might find that once you have completed the survey you are interested in seeking further information or help.

Or maybe you have a mate who might benefit from knowing about the program.

vSHADE has been created to help Veterans. If you are struggling with life after the military, or your transition back into civilian life, we encourage you to get involved with vSHADE. It might just be the first step in making some positive changes in your life.

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Your privacy is our priority

We understand the sensitivity of participating in a research program such as vSHADE. We want to assure all participants that their identity and information will be kept completely private. If you undertake the survey all your answers will be confidential and any personal details that could identify you in any way will not be passed on to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Only vSHADE research staff at the University of Newcastle will have access to your information and your answers will in no way affect any pension, benefits or health services received from DVA now or in the future.

Find out more

Who is behind the
vSHADE project?

vSHADE is run by the Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research (CBMHR) at the University of Newcastle in conjunction with the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use (CREMS).

Led by Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin, Senior Research Fellow and Psychologist, the research team is made up of experts including psychologists, clinical psychologists, social workers and PHD students.

Our team is hoping to provide positive outcomes for participants while implementing findings to create effective programs that can be rolled out to the broader Veteran community.

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Project partners

The vSHADE project is made possible by the participation and funding of the following partner organisations:

  • University of Newcastle
  • Aspen Medical
  • Defence Health
  • NIER
  • CBMHR
  • NHMRC
  • Ironside Recruitment