Dan Tehan – World Suicide Prevention Day

10 Sep 2017

10 September 2017

Dan Tehan
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today used World Suicide Prevention Day to outline the mental health support available to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

“Suicide affects all areas of our community – eight Australians a day take their own lives and it remains the greatest cause of death for men between the ages of 14 and 44,” Mr Tehan said.

“As we have seen, veterans and members of the ADF are sadly not immune. We are determined to address suicide in our community and everyone has a role to play.

“The Government has made the treatment of all mental health conditions free for anyone who has served at least one day in the full-time ADF. I encourage all veterans to contact DVA by email on [email protected] or calling 133 254 or 1800 555 254 for regional callers.

“Current and former ADF members and their family members can access free and confidential counselling and support immediately through the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1800 011 046 or by visiting the VVCS website.

“DVA also provides suicide awareness training through Operation Life. The Operation Life website helps people understand the warning signs of suicide and provides information and resources to help keep the reader and others safe from suicide,” Mr.Tehan said.

Information about Operation Life suicide awareness workshops is available on the VVCS website or by calling 1800 011 046.

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546). VVCS is a service founded by Vietnam veterans.

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Please see the following files attached:
[Tehan Media Release – World Suicide Prevention Day FINAL.pdf]
Distributed by AAP Medianet

JN#:885412