Cameleers to rescue
IT WAS one phone call from across the country that saved a veteran from taking his life.
Veteran George Koulakis spent 23 years in the RAAF as a ground engineer, and one day came across a call for help from another veteran in Victoria on social media.
Mr Koulakis reached out to the veteran who confessed to him his call and support had stopped him from killing himself.
“I check my mates regularly, but I did it this one time, and it shows how very important it is, when you least expect it you will have the biggest impact,” Mr Koulakis said.
“That one act of reaching out for all intents and purposes can be the thing that stops some people, it’s knowing that someone cares enough about you.”
Mr Koulakis founded The Cameleers, a veteran support group which deploys groups of ex-servicemen and women for about 12 days four times a year to support traditional owners conducting cultural surveys, archaeologists and anthropologists doing field work.
“What we have found and believe is one of the biggest factors in helping address mental health is giving them value,” he said.
“If you were a mechanic in the army, then you’re a mechanic again. We rely on you to be that person again.”
Mr Koulakis said the deployments out in the field benefited veterans because it gave them the opportunity to replicate the experiences they had while serving the Australian Defence Force, without being exposed to trauma.
“While you’re out there, it’s an active life, you’re climbing in and out of vehicles, you’re covering large areas of the desert, and they’re eating healthy,” he said.
“The only thing missing is the gun and the bad people.”
>> The challenge has been set to #checkyourmates and if you’d like to be part of our campaign by sharing your story, get in touch. Email letters@townsville bulletin.com.au with the subject line Check your mates.
I CHECK MY MATES REGULARLY, BUT I DID IT THIS ONE TIME, AND IT SHOWS HOW VERY IMPORTANT IT IS, WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT YOU WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT GEORGE KOULAKIS