On mission to keep in touch
A SWIFTWATER rescue fireman says he’s been putting Townsville Bulletin’s #checkyourmates campaign into practice by regularly checking in with his ex-army mates.
North Ward local and exarmy engineer Corrie Benson, 43, said his industry was full of veterans who were working to integrate back into normal life.
“I think it’s very important because of the fact that people, when they discharge, go to all different areas; they can get isolated, it’s good to stay in contact,” he said.
Mr Benson spent 10 years in the military and was sent on three overseas deployments.
He then spent five years working on rescue helicopters before working as a firefighter for the last 12 years as well as a senior swiftwater instructor.
“We instruct in New Zealand, Tasmania, Tully River. I do that every year. I just came back from Tasmania four weeks ago,” Mr Benson said.
He said he had been fortunate to find a fulfilling career.
“For me it was pretty easy, to be honest. I went from the military straight into this area of work,” Mr Benson said. “But it can be tough for guys (veterans) to find work, something they can see value in, a sense of purpose.”
He said he regularly kept in contact with military friends, chatting over text message, phone social media.
“When I left the military I’ve sort of indirectly been doing that with my work colleagues that were in the military,” Mr Benson said.
“It (the Townsville Bulletin campaign) more formalises what we’ve been doing. It highlights what should be occurring.”
Mr Benson said he always made the effort to catch up with old colleagues when they came back to Townsville or whenever he was travelling around.
“Most people nowadays talk up but it’s important to keep an eye out for a change in behaviour, I guess; something out of the ordinary,” he said. “Sometimes a daily check-in, sometimes weekly, calls and sometimes every couple of years, it depends on how close they are.
“It’s very important that people are comfortable with themselves, with their role. Everyone has value to add; they just have to be content with what they are doing.”
Mr Benson said mentoring also played a positive role in making someone feel empowered at work.
But it isn’t just a fulfilling career that contributes positively to someone’s mental health: loved ones are also important.
“Whether that is volunteer work or spending time with family and friends, as long as they are happy, it goes a long way,” he said.
“It’s about opening those lines of communication.”