Thank you to the supporters, industry partners, staff and students who attended MESHA’s annual Morning Tea in August at the Torrens Parade Grounds.
Michael Morgan, CEO of the Metropolitan Fire Service welcomed guests and thanked everyone for their ongoing support.
MESHA’s Executive Director, Associate Professor Miranda Van Hooff provided an overview of MESHA’s activity over the past 12 months. Associate Director Karen May interviewed a panel of six guest speakers about their area of expertise, personal stories and MESHA involvement.
Guest speakers included:
- Jason Bryant
Exercise physiologist/physio-therapist, Program Lead of the Invictus Program
“The Invictus program is unique because it focusses on exercise and performance for first responders and military personnel.”
- Alexandrea Forman
Former defence personnel, Veteran Program Facilitator for MESHA
“I attended a StoryRight workshop at MESHA and I walked away with foundation tools to transition from defence to civilian work.”
- Karin Foxwell
Trauma psychotherapist and art therapy, specialist, MESHA’s Individual and Family Counselling Service
“Art is a wonderful way to process thoughts that people don’t have the words for.”
- Cat King
SAPOL officer, MESHA Facilitator
“Art therapy helped me understand my feelings. I was able to express thoughts that I could not get out in words.”
- Assoc Prof Miranda Van Hooff
Researcher, MESHA Executive Director
“Anecdotally assistant dogs were known to help veterans, but there was no research. This is the first Australian longitudinal study of PTSD dogs and great to have the one-year results published.”
- Jody Martin-Rankin
Executive Manager, See Differently (formerly Royal Society of the Blind)
“Providing assistance dogs for veterans and emergency service personnel with PTSD (through OPK9) is an innovative life changing program and having the research and evidence base behind it, is fundamental for policy and the future.”
Watch the full presentation here:
