• Shop

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Shop Women
    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    • Sponsor a conversation
    Shop Men
    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    Shop Kids
    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    Customer Support
    • Order enquiries & returns
    • Help Desk & FAQ's
    • Shipping policy
  • Help Us

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Donate
    • Donate to LIVIN
    • Regular Donation
    • One-Off Donation
    • Workplace Giving
    • Leaving a Gift in your Will
    Fundraise
    • Create your own
    • Join an Event
    • In Celebration
    • In Memory
    Volunteer
    • Volunteer for LIVIN
  • Book Now

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Face to Face Programs
    • LIVINWell In Work
    • LIVINWell In School
    • LIVINWell In Sport/Community
    Online Programs
    • e-learning Mental Health Awareness Program
  • LIVIN Hub

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Facts & Guides
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Addiction & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions
    Media & Events
    • Podcasts
    • News & Blogs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Your Stories
    • Past Events
    Seeking Help
    • When & where to seek help
    • Find a Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Forum
    Resources
    • Downloadable Fact Sheets
    • LIVIN App download
    • Newsletter Signup
  • About Us

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK

    • About Us
    • Our Values
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
    • Media Enquiries
    • Contact Us
Donate
  1. Home
  2. LIVIN News & Blogs
  3. Meet LIVIN’s Veterans- By Tegan Brooks

LIVIN News & Blogs

Meet LIVIN’s Veterans- By Tegan Brooks

3 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN | Posted during November 9, 2020

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND…

I spent six years in the Royal Australia Navy as an Electronics Technician. This means that I maintained and repaired communications equipment both on shore establishments and onboard Navy ships. In 2013, I deployed on HMAS Melbourne to the Middle East Area of Operations for six months. It was a tough deployment at times, but I am proud of our contributions to international maritime security and am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit some incredibly beautiful parts of the world.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THESE DAYS?

I live in Brisbane with my partner and our two gorgeous dogs. Currently, I work as a project advisor on some major Government projects. I enjoy the daily challenges of my job, but also the flexibility it provides me in finding that work-life balance. Outside of the 9-5, I like to get away camping or hiking and volunteer with some youth-focused initiatives that allow me to ‘give back’ for some of the opportunities I’ve been afforded myself. Whether it’s teaching kids to drive at PCYC, working with youth leadership programs or sharing the LIVIN message at schools through the LIVINWell mental health program – we all have the opportunity to change someone else’s life.

HOW WAS YOUR TRANSITION FROM THE MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE?

I was fortunate to secure an entry-level Government job not long after discharging from the Navy. It was something completely unrelated to my trade and, I thought, unrelated to any of my work experience in the military. As a result, I sort of felt like I was starting my adult life over again. To be honest, for a while there, I felt a bit disheartened that I had ‘wasted’ so many years in the military when other people my age were so much further ahead. As I progressed in the organisation though, I started to realise that many of the skills I was recognised for were developed in the military and I wasn’t so far behind after all.

WE KNOW THAT TRANSITION FROM THE MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE CAN BE CHALLENGING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SO MANY VETERANS. WE KNOW THAT TRANSITION IN MANY AREAS OF LIFE CAN BE CHALLENGING – PRIMARY SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY OR THE WORKFORCE, BECOMING A PARENT, LOSS OF A CLOSE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER ETC. WHAT IS ONE TIP YOU CAN PROVIDE TO THOSE READING THIS THAT HELPED WITH YOUR TRANSITION FROM THE MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE FROM A MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE?

Just take the next best step. Acknowledge that transition is going to take time, that you don’t need to conquer the world straight away, that it’s OK to not be OK. Just focus on what that next best step is for you and reach out for help if you need it.

WHAT DO YOU WISH CIVILIANS WERE MORE AWARE OF ABOUT VETERANS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL?

Many times when I really ‘click’ with someone in my workplace, I will find out that they have previously served and as a result our brains work in many of the same ways. I am certain that many of our Veterans are some of the most multi-skilled and committed employees a business could wish to have. Our military service gave us so many foundational skills that are now second-nature – time management, responsiveness, accountability to name a few – and these can be translated to so many jobs. I would love to see more people recognising someone’s military service for the huge benefits it can bring to a workplace. We may not be the best self-promoters, but we make bloody good employees!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT LIVIN?

What I like most about LIVIN is that they are normalising the conversation about mental health and making it ‘cool’ to speak openly and honestly. I love the focus on kids in particular, because I think the more impact we can have at an early age, the less young people who will have to suffer.

Leave a comment

More ways to keep up to date:

Join the newsletter:

Keep up to date with everything LIVIN – news, podcasts, events, tips, products, and special discounts.

Want to get involved?

Buy apparel
Donate
Fundraising
Volunteer

Get more from the blog

    • About Us
    • Shop
    • Podcasts
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Addiction & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions
    • Seeking Help
    • Find a Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Forum
    • Covid-19 & Mental Health
    • Customer Support

LIVIN News & Blogs

Related Articles

2 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN

Why volunteering is good for your mental health

Every one of us has been helped or encountered a volunteer at some stage in our lives, we just may not know it because volunteers...

Continue reading
2 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN

Mindful drinking

Knocking off work early for a few social drinks on a Friday or catching up with some friends on a Sunday afternoon over a few drin...

Continue reading
2 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN

Socks 4 docs spreads awareness on mental health

Now more than ever the importance of our healthcare professionals has been in the spotlight as an overall appreciation of the incr...

Continue reading
  • Shop

    Shop Women

    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    • Sponsor a conversation

    Shop Men

    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All

    Shop Kids

    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All

    Customer Support

    • Order enquiries & returns
    • Help Desk & FAQ's
    • Shipping policy
  • Help Us

    Donate

    • Donate to LIVIN
    • Regular Donation
    • One-Off Donation
    • Workplace Giving
    • Leaving a Gift in your Will

    Fundraise

    • Create your own
    • Join an Event
    • In Celebration
    • In Memory

    Volunteer

    • Volunteer for LIVIN
  • Book Now

    Face to Face Programs

    • LIVINWell In Work
    • LIVINWell In School
    • LIVINWell In Sport/Community

    Online Programs

    • e-learning Mental Health Awareness Program
  • LIVIN Hub

    Facts & Guides

    • Depression
      • Signs and symptoms?
      • What is Depression?
    • Anxiety
    • Addiction & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions

    Media & Events

    • Podcasts
    • News & Blogs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Your Stories
    • Past Events

    Seeking Help

    • When & where to seek help
    • Find a Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Forum

    Resources

    • Downloadable Fact Sheets
    • LIVIN App download
    • Newsletter Signup
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Values
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
    • Media Enquiries
    • Contact Us
Join the Newsletter

Keep up to date with everything LIVIN - news, podcasts, events, tips, products, and special discounts.

Connect with us
  • ABOUT US
    • #itaintweaktospeak
    • Our Values
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
    • Media Enquiries
    • Contact Us
  • THE FACTS
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Addictions & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions
  • GET HELP
    • Seeking Help
    • Find A Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • COVID-19 & Mental Health
  • ENGAGE
    • Book a Program
    • Fundraise
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Upcoming Events
  • LIVIN HUB
    • Podcast
    • News & Blogs
    • Your Stories
    • Upcoming Events
    • Resources
    • Customer Support
  • SITE LINKS
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • About Zip
  • SHOP
    • View All
    • Mens
    • Womens
    • Unisex
    • Kids
    • Accessories
    • Order Enquiries & Returns
    • Shipping
Head Office

Burleigh Heads, Queensland Australia 4220

Postal Address

Po Box 370, Burleigh Heads, Queensland Australia 4220

In loving memory of our friend Dwayne Lally, we miss you mate.

Donate

© 2021 LIVIN. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Wellbeing Policy
  • Shipping Policy
  • Returns Policy

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978