In this episode, Dr Lauren Schild and Dr Rory Grinsill discuss their trainee experiences of their rotations in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). They talk about the value of these placements, the challenges they faced, and the benefits of group therapy for veterans. The conversation, facilitated by Dr Jonathan Lane, highlights the importance of understanding the unique experiences and needs of military veterans and the role of community support in their mental health treatment. Learn more about MVPTP Military and Veteran Psychiatry Training Program.

Dr Lauren Schild is a new Fellow currently working in a public inpatient unit inSouth Australia. She completed her medical training at the University of Adelaide, interned at Flinders Medical Centre and completed her psychiatry training in the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network. During her training, she completed three rotations at the Jamie Larcombe Centre, which is the specialist mental health unit for veterans in South Australia.

Dr Rory Grinsill is a Consultant Psychiatrist currently working at Toowong Private Hospital in Brisbane. As a veteran of the Royal Navy, he has a particular interest in improving mental health and welfare within military and veteran communities.

A/Prof Jonathan Lane, FRANZCP, MBBS (Hons), PhD, has been in the Army since 1989 and is also an Afghanistan veteran. He works with the DVA and is the Psychiatry Lead for the University of Tasmania School of Medicine He works in the field of military, veteran and first responders and has a PhD in culturally specific, peer led, group programs for stress and trauma in these populations. He is the current Chair of the Military, Veterans’ and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network in the RANZCP and is passionate about developing services, clinical outcomes, and translational research in this area.

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