Synopsis

Casualties of War tells the story of Leigh, a Special Forces soldier who served with the Australian Army in East Timor. Leigh believes that the hardest part of going to war is coming home.

A year after Leigh returned from East Timor he reached breaking point and left the army. It is only now, 4 years later, he feels able to speak out about the realities of being a solider.

There is a world of silence that sits between those who have seen unspeakable acts of violence and those who have not. Casualties of War takes the audience on a journey to transcend that silence by exploring the losses shouldered by soldiers and their families in the wake of war.

Credits

Filmed and directed by Jeni Lee
Produced by Sarah Wishart and Rebecca Summerton
Edited by Tania Nehme
Music by Tom Harrer
Sound mix by Best FX

Links

• Veterans Line
  The Veterans Line is an after hours telephone crisis counselling service operating to assist veterans and their families cope with crisis situations.
  Call the Veterans Line on 1800 011 046
• Australian Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health
  An excellent resource for information about PTSD, signs and symptoms and the impact of PTSD on relationships and day-to-day life.
  Visit the ACPTMH website
• The Australian Defence Force Mental Health Strategy
  Including contacts, self help and suicide prevention resources.
  Visit The Australian Defence Force Mental Health Strategy website
• Department of Veterans' Affairs
  This site includes health information for veterans and their families and carers.
  Visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs website
• Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study Inc.
  Concerned people coming together to promote the health issues facing many sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans which have arisen due to their parent's active service.
  Visit the Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study Inc. website
• The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc.
  Membership of the PVA is open to any person whose current or former partner served in a theatre of war, campaign or was in peacekeeping/peacemaking duties as a member of the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force, or as a member of one of the Australian Allied Forces.
  Visit The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc. website
• Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia
  The Repatriation General Hospital has a PTSD unit and offers counselling services for veterans and their partners.
  Visit the Repatriation General Hospital website