15 September 2017
Launching $6
million research centre to support veterans with
PTSD
Minister for
Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said a new
Government-funded research centre into Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder would improve the
lives of veterans and their families.
Mr Tehan today
launched the $6 million Centenary of Anzac
Centre at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne
to be operated by Phoenix Australia – Centre for
Posttraumatic Mental Health.
Mr Tehan said the
new centre delivered a 2016 election commitment
and represented one of the most significant
investments into the research of
military-related PTSD in Australia.
“More than 30,000
Australian veterans have an accepted
service-related disability for PTSD,” Mr Tehan
said.
“The Department of
Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
spend more than $244 million a year providing
mental health support and treatment to current
and former ADF members. In last year’s budget,
the Government made the treatment of PTSD free
for anyone who has served one day in the
full-time ADF and this has led to encouraging
results.
“More veterans are
seeking help for their PTSD – and getting that
help. The Government’s investment in the
Centenary of Anzac Centre will lead to improved
treatment of mental health conditions, including
PTSD.
“The Anzac Centre
will undertake pioneering research and provide
expert advice to practitioners nationwide who
are supporting veterans with PTSD.”
Director of Phoenix
Australia Professor David Forbes said: “The
Centenary of Anzac Centre provides a unique
opportunity to establish a strong national
collaboration of researchers, clinicians,
ex-service organisations and all agencies caring
for veterans, to work together to find new
solutions and improve care.”
Media enquiries:
Minister Tehan’s Office: Byron Vale, 0428 262
894
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289
6466
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.
