Led by Gallipoli Medical Research and funded by Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Veteran research
Peer-Led Seeking Safety: Translating an evidence-based practice model for veterans’ support organisations
About
The project will trial the Peer-Led Seeking Safety (SS) intervention with Open Arms peer workers, clinicians and clients across two Australian sites in Queensland and South Australia. It will assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a partial-dose, eight-session, group-based, peer-led SS model within Open Arms services, and develop an Australian-specific addendum to the Seeking Safety manual to ensure cultural and organisational fit. The study will evaluate psychosocial outcomes for veteran clients, including PTSD symptoms, substance use, coping skills and wellbeing, and will conduct an economic evaluation to determine cost-effectiveness in the Australian context. It will also identify barriers and enablers to implementation and provide insights to inform scalable models for future rollout across veteran support organisations.
Who is eligible to participate
- Clinicians: Employed by Open Arms, willing and able to participate in training, deliver the intervention, and provide feedback.
- Peer Workers: Open Arms peer workers with lived experience of military service and mental health recovery. Must complete training and co-facilitate sessions.
- Clients:
- Open Arms clients aged 18+.
- Ex-serving ADF members
- Presenting with trauma, stressor, substance, or addiction-related concerns.
- Willing and able to attend 8 Seeking Safety sessions and complete related assessments.
Note: Recruitment is complete.
