The gravity of the military veteran crisis has been underscored by the chair of the royal commission into veteran suicides, Commissioner Nick Kaldas, who has urgently called for immediate action. Recent figures, unveiled by the Australian Institute of Health and...
Health
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on Defence and veteran suicide released
Wednesday 22nd Nov 2023
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) published the Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985 suicide monitoring: 1997 to 2021 report. Commissioned by DVA, the AIHW has delivered this report on the incidence of...
Consultation on new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy underway
Monday 7th Aug 2023
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has made it abundantly clear that more needs to be done to support the mental health and wellbeing of Defence personnel, veterans and families. We’re taking action. Today I hosted a round-table meeting with mental...
Opinion: I Say, I Say, I Say – Old leadership lessons are still relevant
Saturday 7th Jan 2023
MAJOR Charles McMoran Wilson MC, Silver Medal of Military Valour (Italy), twice MID, knew more than most about soldiers and soldiering. As 1st Bn Royal Fusiliers RMO on the Western Front in World War I, he treated their wounds, observed their reactions to climate and...
Release of Defence and Veteran Suicide Monitoring Report
Wednesday 16th Nov 2022
A report released today into the rate of suicide among current and former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel reaffirms that suicide prevention must be a matter of national priority. The report, Serving and ex‑serving Australian Defence Force members who...
RU OK? Day – Thursday 8th September
Wednesday 7th Sep 2022
It’s our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life. R U OK? has released resources,...
Defence unveils new PTSD treatment
Saturday 20th Aug 2022
A joint venture between government and the private sector has produced a new treatment for PTSD sufferers. Joint research between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Department of Defence and the Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health has informed...
Commentary: Treat Each and Every Case on Its Merits
Saturday 30th Jul 2022
CHARLES McMoran Wilson enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a 32- year-old specialist physician on the declaration of war in August 1914. As 1Bn Royal Fusiliers RMO until 1917, then senior medical officer at a large hospital at Boulogne, France he was...
Defence Community Dogs – Improving the Lives of Veterans. One Paw at a Time
Thursday 21st Oct 2021
Defence Community Dogs provides highly trained Assistance Dogs to Australian Defence Force Veterans. Trained in specific tasks to support mood, depressive and anxiety disorders including PTSD. The dogs who graduate from our program help Veterans to rebuild their lives...
JOIN IN AND ‘GET MOVING’ DURING VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK
Friday 15th Oct 2021
More than 720 events that focus on veteran wellbeing will kick off across Australia on 16 October as part of our country’s largest Veterans’ Health Week to date. The Australian Government has provided a record $540,000 funding for Veterans’ Health Week activities that...