A presentation to interested parties

To participate in PTS17, an International Forum for Post Traumatic Stress, to be held on;

September 8 and 9 at the Brisbane Conference and Exhibition Centre, to be followed by a public

awareness event on September 10– World Suicide

Prevention Day – at the Allan Border Field,

Brisbane

In September 2015, Stand Tall for PTS staged PTSD15. This was arguably the most significant clinical PTS event in Australia’s history to date.

PTSD15 brought together, for the first time, many individuals, organisations and ESOs involved in treatment, research and diagnosis of PTSD with a theme of ‘’seeking solutions together.”

For many years the only publicity about PTSD, especially concerning Defence and DVA, had been negative. One purpose of this forum was to highlight much of the good work being done by these two, in this area.

This was achieved.The planning and staging of PTSD15 brought Stand Tall into a close working relationship with Phoenix Australia, Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, Toowong Private Hospital and Doctor Andrew Khoo, the Queensland RSL plus our events company, Carillon Conference Management. Our relationship with DVA, Defence and our Patron, Sir Angus Houston also adds to our integrity in this space.

This combination then helped to stage the Lightning Bolt Convoy which was a highly

successful public awareness event. We created a small piece of Australian history by laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, to commemorate the many tens of thousands of men and women who have died as a result of mental trauma contracted through their military service.

Stand Tall prides itself on being a volunteer organisation which is fast developing more and more contacts wanting to help. They want to join us in creating more positive awareness of PTS and to help chip away at the stigma attached to the illness. Also we have a growing list of high profile ambassadors which helps considerably with events and fund raisers.

PTS17 will continue the Stand Tall unifying, lobbying and awareness success and while the overarching theme will continue to be ‘’seeking solutions together’’ we will highlight transition and recovery as major topics.The fact that we will be staging this forum on the weekend of World Suicide Prevention Day means that suicide will play a part in what we present. This will obviously feature on the actual day, September 10.

Stand Tall is presently formulating the two day programme for PTS17 in conjunction with Professor David Forbes, from Phoenix Australia, Doctor Andrew Khoo, from Toowong Private Hospital, Miriam Dwyer, the CEO of Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation and Stewart Cameron, the President of the Queensland RSL. The final programme promises to be a who’s who in PTS research, diagnosis and treatment, globally. We have confirmations from Doctor Walter Busuttil from Combat Stress in the UK, Bob Ursano from the USA, David Forbes, GMRF, Andrew Khoo, John Mendoza who is currently conducting research into Suicide in the military and QUT, a major player in PTS research, to be presenters. We are waiting on confirmation from another major American drawcard and one from Canada plus Professor Sandy McFarlane and the Queensland Mental Health Commissioner among others. Sir Angus Houston has indicated he can obtain the services of the Veterans Affairs and Health Ministers. Stand Tall is also talking to David Sharpe from the AFP who could be a presenter and organise a strong presence from his organisation. We have financial backing from the Department of Defence.

Stand Tall plans to complete this historic weekend with a public awareness event on the Sunday, September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day. We are all aware that the most catastrophic result of PTS is the taking of one’s own life. This is a major topic of government research and senate enquiries at present.

Stand Tall is making representation to the world body to see how involved they may like to be in this entire weekend.

The plans for the day will be to invite ESOs to take part with information for anyone who has questions about PTS. We have the Military and First Responders taking part with displays, a vehicle presence and recruitment if they see fit. We are planning a big family day on the field with a massive ‘’meet your favourite sports stars’’ and bowl to a Bull and kick with a Bronco or a Red plus Jumping Castles etc.We would like there to be a ‘Fashions on the Field’ display sponsored by the likes of Myer or David Jones.

We are working on the inaugural ‘’Military Sporting Hall of Fame’’. This will be a virtual reality presentation which can then be available at multiple venues and added to annually. We are looking to the Governor General to announce the final selection.

The day can end with a special music concert.The plan is to promote the whole weekend through our ever growing media contacts and social media plus the media arms of Defence, DVA, the First Responders, Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket We feel that there is enough content there to create a lot of interest across a broad spectrum of the public of all ages.

We would like your company to be a contributor for this important weekend. The association for your company can be extremely beneficial and I am happy to travel interstate to meet with you to discuss this if required. Please reply to Sally Hodder, sally.hodder@standtall4pts.org, if you are interested in being part of this historic weekend and require more details.

Tony Dell, Stand Tall for PTS