Visiting the doctor is normal for all of us but dealing with trauma from military service is anything but.
No Duff Charitable Trust is aiming to bring veterans' well-being back into focus.
"There's no check-in on you in a year's time or how are you going? No phone call, no nothing. When you walk out the gate, you disappear," Dr Paul Nealis, the former Chief Medical Officer of the New Zealand Defence Force, told Newshub.
It's been trialling specialised face-to-face visits at a Manawatu practice since November. A clinic for veterans offers medical care for physical health and crucially, mental health as well.
"It's a clinic that understands service, it understands service-related conditions," Dr Nealis added.
Veterans say there's not enough support for those who have left.
"Nothing that specifically caters for veterans, for the specific veterans' requirements but also that talks to them in their language and their culture," Aaron Wood from No Duff said.
Mental health is the biggest concern triggered by the toll of serving in the military and deployments to volatile areas.
"It's a change in the way they see right and wrong and of the groups that we see that's the group that we tend to have most problems with, these are the groups that tend to go on to self-harm," Dr Nealis said.
An online learning centre's also been launched - a one-stop shop for anyone struggling.
This is helping to filter through and break down their emotions and feelings.
"About 80 percent of veterans who are going through a crisis can actually manage their own issues themselves and would prefer to do so but they just don't have anywhere to find those specialist skills and knowledge," Wood added.
The rate of suicide within the veteran community is unknown but the mental health issue is clear.
"What we intend to do is expand our reach from just the Manawatu throughout the rest of this year and into next year to nationwide."
Giving our veterans the tools to win the mental health battle and stay alive.
More information about the No Duff Learning Centre can be found here.
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
