Welcome to Shoulder to Shoulder

Connect with other veterans and their families in our dedicated online communiy spaces, learn through shared experiences and access reliable resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.

A community who understand

Dean's story

“One of the things that’s often misunderstood about veterans is we all experience the same thing when we leave the military, even if we’ve had different experiences when serving. A common feeling is that we feel unseen or that we don’t belong as a civilian, so we isolate ourselves from our families and communities and withdraw from society.

An online space is a great option for people like me as it’s anonymous so there’s no expectations of who we are or what we need to be. This means we’re more comfortable asking for help but also gives us the opportunity to help others which is why many of us joined the military in the first place.”

Chris's story

“When I started to accept that I needed support, the support when I started reaching out - a lot of it was online. So I could anonymously go and have a bit of a chat and find out - is this fairly normal?

And one of the tools that I really did enjoy using was getting into forums and discussion groups online. Those environments being there for us where they're low risk. They're always on, 24/7, people speaking my language."

Anita's story

"... in addition to Chris being, you know, a much-loved part of our family community, I guess, and friendship community, he has lived with us for two extended periods and that was I think during a time that he was struggling but I wasn't aware of the depth of his struggles. I didn't notice the signs. I had a sense that he really wasn't well and I knew that he hadn't been sleeping. I knew that he was self-medicating. He was overcome with sorrow."

Join the Shoulder to Shoulder online community

Powered by SANE and funded by Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling.

Shoulder to Shoulder is a supportive, peer-led community that's free to join, anonymous, professionally moderated, and accessible 24/7 and on any device.

Take it at your own pace. Join a discussion or start new one, participate in community webinars, access information and resources, or just visit from time to time. The community is here to support you on your terms.

Have questions? Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

An online community space for veterans

Connect anonymously with other veterans in this supportive, peer-led community.

Moderators ensure it's a productive space for you to share your experiences, seek advice, participate in community events, and access reliable resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.

Explore the community

An online community space for families of veterans

Connect anonymously with other families and surround yourself with a community of support.

Share your experiences, seek advice, learn what’s worked for others, and access reliable resources to help you navigate challenges and prioritise your own wellbeing.

Connect with other families

This Online Spaces program for veterans and veteran families has been funded by Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, and is brought to you in collaboration with our community partner and subject matter experts, Phoenix Australia.

Resources to support your mental health and wellbeing

In addition to the SANE resources below, our community spaces house a variety of lived experience stories and resources.

Explore resources in the Veterans Space

Explore resources in the Families Space

Get the facts about PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop in response to traumatic situations, especially very shocking, extreme or sudden events.

It is possible to live a full and meaningful life even if a person has experienced PTSD.

People living with PTSD can benefit from self-care strategies and psychological support that is safe and empowering.

Take me to the factsheet

Get the facts about complex PTSD

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD) is a condition that can develop in response to repeated or intense trauma. Symptoms are similar to PTSD, but also include difficulties with managing emotions, self-esteem and relationships.

People living with complex PTSD can benefit from self-care strategies and psychological support that is trauma-informed.

Take me to the factsheet

COMMUNITY WEBINARS

Led by mental health advocates and subject matter experts, our free 60-minute community webinars provide new perspectives, valuable insights, practical tools and helpful resources.

Wellbeing beyond the military

Hosted by SANE CEO Rachel Green and featuring guest speakers Nicole Sadler, Director and CEO at Phoenix Australia: The Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, and Warwick Lugton, Veteran and GM, Training and Capability at Disaster Relief Australia.

Watch the recording and gain valuable insights on:

The diverse experiences of veterans
Transitioning to civilian life
Wellbeing beyond military service
Navigating stigma
The importance of community support

Take me to the recording

From the community

- community member

Why would you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders when you can share that with someone else and they can just take a little bit of that weight for you?

Join the community

- community member

All it takes for you is just to say, hey, I need some help. And then you'll be surprised with how many amazing people put their hands up to help you.

Join the community

- community member

[You may feel] a bit of shame in reaching out for support but another guy in the infantry explained to me that it's not that you're admitting defeat, you're just calling for fire support. You're just saying, hey, I just need a bit of support through this period.

Join the community

Looking for mental health support for yourself or someone else?

The following organisations provide a range of mental health support services for veterans and their families.

Open Arms

Open Arms provide a range of support services, with staff who understand veteran and military culture, including a 24-hour free telephone counselling line for veterans and their family. Call 1800 011 046 or click the learn more button below.

Learn more

ADF Mental Health

The Australian Defence Force provides a range of mental health resources and support options for veterans and their families, including a confidential 24-hour telephone triaging service.
Call 1800 628 036 or click the learn more button below.

Learn more

Phoenix Australia

Phoenix Australia is an expert in trauma-related mental health and wellbeing.
They offer a variety of recovery-based self-help resources on their website, and also offer clinical support to veterans in Victoria and Tasmania.

Learn more

SANE

SANE provides different types and levels of mental health support, so you can find what works for you. Choose from telephone counselling, peer support, online groups and events, 24/7 community forums, and information and resources.

Learn more

Crisis support services

If you require immediate support, please contact one of the service providers below.

If you need immediate support and can’t reach us, contact the services below. In an emergency contact 000.

Emergency, police & ambulance (24 Hrs)

000
Connect with a lifeline crisis supporter (24hrs)

13 11 14
Suicide callback service (24 Hrs)

1300 659 467
Kids helpline (24 Hrs)

1800 55 1800
13 YARN

13 92 76

We celebrate diversity

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.