Transition can feel noisy – new routines, new identity, and a lot of “where do I even start?” If you’d rather talk it through with someone who’s lived it, meet Paul. See below how Paul tackled these common questions veterans face with life after service.
Paul is Valour Health’s Veteran Ambassador and a peer point-of-contact for everyday, real-world questions: staying structured, managing stress, sleep, pain, motivation, relationships, and how to actually use the supports available without the runaround.
Valour: How did the first few months after discharge feel?
Paul Brooks: “My last day in the Army was the first time I felt like my service meant nothing – like I was just another number.”
“I was told my certificate would be posted out, had my Defence ID shredded, and was escorted off base by civilian security. I remember thinking, What do I do now?”
“After that, I spiralled. The first year was survival mode – alcohol, heavy meds, poor decisions, marriage breakdown, and hospitalisation for suicidal thoughts. I also lost close mates to suicide. After a while, seeing the boys felt like it only meant another funeral.”
“I carry guilt and sadness from those losses, and it’s why I advocate for mental health. It’s been a fight to rebuild my health, identity, and purpose – but I have.”
Valour: What was your first step when you left service?
PB: “When I first got out, the first step was getting consistent exercise, therapy, and a solid medical team around me. I started talking honestly with a few close mates instead of carrying it alone.”
“Most of it came down to putting in the ‘reps’, routine, movement, and getting my circle right. You’re shaped by who you spend time with, so I made sure I was around people who wanted the best for me and pushed me to keep going.“
“I also doubled down on the basics: daily ice bath, sauna, good nutrition, meditation, yoga and travel. Movement was a big one. Along with natural therapies – it made me zoom out and stop sweating the small stuff.”
Valour: When did you realise you needed support, and what did you do?
PB: “As the years have gone on, who I talk to has changed, but the biggest one has always been the brothers I served and deployed with. That bond doesn’t fade.“
“My family is my foundation too, my dad, who’s a Vietnam veteran, plus my mum and siblings. I also leaned on close mates outside the Army. They couldn’t always relate, but they’d been through their own hardships and genuinely wanted the best for me.“
“And my partner has been my rock – she’s created a space where I can be vulnerable without judgement. Without her push, I wouldn’t be part of Valour Health. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and if this helps even one person feel seen and not alone, it’s worth it.“
Valour: Is it normal to feel on edge, lost or disconnected?
PB: “I think it would be abnormal if you didn’t feel all those emotions and I’d add a few of my own; sad, angry, scared, confused and uncertain to name a few.“
“It’s important to accept your emotions, take time to acknowledge them, and remember that whatever you’re feeling is normal and will eventually pass.“
Valour: How were you able to use the skills you learnt in service, once discharged?
PB: “Adapting my skill set into civilian life manifested in many ways but I think the most important aspects were resilience through adversity, discipline and showing up – regardless of how I felt, professionalism, teamwork/working together to achieve a common goal and always remaining adaptive to situations when they didn’t go to plan.“
It’s OK to ask for support
As part of Valour Health’s ongoing commitment to excellence, we’re proud to have Paul on our side, a veteran with a decade in service in the 8/9 RAR (Infantry Regiment).
A fellow veteran who understands.
Our mission is to enhance our support services by fostering genuine connections and care that lead to better health outcomes for those who served. If you or a loved one could benefit from Valour Health’s care, please reach out to our dedicated team. Connect with Paul, talk to our Patient Care team or book an appointment with our Doctors to start your journey towards improved health today. We are here to listen, understand, and provide the support you deserve.
Supporting Veterans at Valour Health
Our clinicians provide guidance on natural therapy care pathways, including options that may be eligible for DVA funding depending on individual circumstances. Support is delivered through a respectful, person-centred approach that acknowledges the unique experiences of veterans.
For information about accessing care, contact our team at clinic@valourhealth.com.au or book a consultation.
Safety Notice: This information is general in nature and does not replace medical advice. Any treatment decisions should be made with a qualified health professional. Valour Health does not advertise or endorse specific therapeutic goods, including prescription-only products.
