Ocean Road pushes up for veterans’ mental health

The initiative is part of the 22 push-ups in 22 days challenge Ocean Road support teacher and veteran Leah Lawley is taking part in to raise awareness about the lack of mental health monitoring for war veterans after they are discharged.

Ms Lawley grew up in a family where her father, a Vietnam veteran, suffered from PTSD. 

“I’ve grown up with post traumatic, so I’m kind of very aware of the effects it can have long-term on people,” she said.

“I guess that’s what makes me who I am today as well.

“Why I run half-marathons and things like that, I really like to hurt myself just to push this, because it’s unacceptable.”

Ms Lawley joined the military in 1991, when she was a 19 year-old seeking for an adventure, and served in East Timor before leaving her military career to start a family in 2006.

After landing back in Australia she underwent counselling and focused on fitness to battle against any signs of depression.

She is now committed to raising awareness about the lack of support services for Australian war veterans through campaigning, challenges and sponsored races.

“I do miss it [the military] but I can serve from here now just adding a voice, even if it’s just a drop in the ocean, it’s just better than sitting back and just being like ‘oh it’s a terrible situation’ and not being able to do anything,” she said.

“Something needs to be done for our veterans,  because they are falling through the cracks, ending up homeless, suicide or mental health issues.

“It seems that when they are either discharged or left the forces that there’s no follow up. 

“It’s unacceptable, it shouldn’t be happening.

She said getting the school involved was a good way to discuss the school history curriculum involving teachers and students in a hands-on experience. 

And hoped activities like this would change the students’ mindset and improve the situation of veterans in the future.

“It’s just to create a community event really for the kids to start thinking about how they can help their community as well,” she said.

“As a community we need to talk about it, we need to encourage them to come forward and get help and not hide it away.

“It’s important to remember what they’ve done.

“Yes, they made the choice to go on the military and severe their country, however they can’t be forgotten when they come back.”

She still has 198 push-ups left before the challenge ends, but she said her journey helping the Australian veterans would continue for years to come.