“You expect your family to help you out, but Bravery Trust became my family. You really helped me reestablish myself. I was a suicide risk. I was in the water, and I knew if I stayed there, I would just eventually disappear.”
After years of enduring mental health issues related to his time in service, Henry was homeless for an 18 month period and couch surfing. A Relocation Manager from Open Arms referred him to Bravery Trust.
“The Bravery Trust team acted swiftly and found me a place to live, helping with bond and rent payments and the purchase of essential household items and appliances.”
Henry was eventually provided a full DVA pension due to health issues endured as a result of his service.
“My family was not in a position to help me, but during this essential time of my life Bravery Trust became my family. You helped me more than I could have ever imagined.
“I would just say to anyone dealing with financial struggles go ahead and make the call. Reach out for help. You are not alone.
“I describe my service as a good time, but also a rough time. I’ve had a long road, and I’ve had a lot of services help me out and continue to help me.
“Bravery Trust taught me how to budget the pension and manage my medication and treatment.
“I have had to rearrange myself. I learned to survive.”
Since receiving Bravery Trust assistance, Henry has been able to continue in secured housing, despite challenges with the rising cost of rent and living.
And through support of the DVA, he now has a service dog that helps him with his continued mental health struggles.
“It took me two years to get Kingston (his service dog). He knows when I’m thinking of things I’m not supposed to, those bad and dark thoughts, and he’ll sit on my lap, and he brings me back. He keeps me here.”
Now, every year Henry signs up to take on the Bravery Trek challenge to give back in appreciation for the support he received.
He hopes it can help others who have gone through similar situations.
“I didn’t raise a lot the first year, but every year I go out into my community, and I share the work of Bravery Trust and share my journey in the hope that it can contribute to others.”
