10 December
2015
Veterans Skype counselling pilot under
way
The
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Stuart Robert, has
announced the Veterans and Veterans’ Families
Counselling Service (VVCS) is conducting a new study
into the effectiveness of online mental health
counselling services.
"We want to
make VVCS’s vital counselling and support services as
widely available as possible, particularly to eligible
veterans and Australian Defence Force (ADF) members in
regional and remote Australia," Mr Robert said.
"To date,
there have not been many studies into the effectiveness
of online counselling, so VVCS is going to lead
Australian research in this area."
VVCS
currently offers Skype counselling on an as-needs basis.
This has been popular with clients, who can use the
online video telephony service at any location with
internet access.
"If the
trial indicates Skype counselling is effective, VVCS
will consider making it part of its regular services, in
addition to face-to-face, telephone and videoconference
counselling," Mr Robert said.
"As part of
our commitment to improving the delivery of mental
health services the Government is working to make VVCS
services accessible to as many veterans and ex-service
personnel, and their families, as possible."
VVCS
provides free and confidential counselling and support
for war and service-related mental health conditions.
Eligible veterans, serving ADF personnel and their
families can access counselling for conditions including
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety,
depression, sleep disturbance and anger management.
"Veterans
are encouraged to seek help if they are worried about
how they are feeling or coping. We know the earlier
mental health conditions are treated, the better the
prospect for recovery," Mr Robert said.
The
Government, through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,
will pay for treatment of a range of mental health
conditions, whether or not they are service related,
including PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol and
substance use disorders.
If you
would like to discuss your counselling needs with VVCS,
please call 1800 011 046.
Media enquiries:
Richard
Briedis (Minister Robert) 0477 391 174
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
