Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan
Tehan today officially launched the trial of a new
intensive treatment program for current and former
Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who have
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mr Tehan
said the research was part of the Government’s drive to
improve the mental health of current and former ADF
personnel.
He said the
Rapid Exposure Supporting Trauma Recovery (RESTORE)
trial was a world-leading research program that would
assess whether delivering treatment over an intensive
two-week period would provide better mental health
outcomes.
Around 200
current and former ADF members will be recruited for the
trial, which will run over two years.
The
Government has also provided $6.1 million to Phoenix
Australia to support the establishment of the Centenary
of Anzac Centre. This will provide support services for
practitioners and ex-service organisations who work
closely with veterans with mental health concerns. It
will also undertake research into identifying better
ways to treat veterans with mental health issues.
"Current
PTSD treatment involves weekly therapy over three months
and this trial offers the potential to achieve the same
positive results over a two-week program of intensive
treatment," Mr Tehan said.
"The
outcomes of the trial will be incredibly important in
shaping how the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
and Defence approach the future delivery of mental
health care for Australia’s military personnel and
veterans.
"This trial
will help improve our understanding of PTSD and how best
to treat it, which will benefit our veterans and the
broader Australian community."
A four-year
partnership project grant through the National Health
and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) was awarded to DVA,
Defence and the University of Melbourne to conduct the
RESTORE trial. Phoenix Australia – Centre for
Posttraumatic Mental Health is leading the project on
behalf of the university.
It will be
conducted at Phoenix Australia in Melbourne, the
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS)
offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, and the ADF
Centre for Mental Health in Sydney.
"The
Government has made mental health treatment for PTSD,
depression, anxiety and alcohol and substance misuse
free for anyone who has served one day in the ADF," Mr
Tehan said.
"This
treatment is demand driven and fully funded, so if
someone needs treatment, it is available.
"All
current serving ADF members can also seek comprehensive
mental health treatment and support through their local
Garrison Health Service.
"In
addition, any veteran, ADF member or their family
members can also pick up the phone and call VVCS 24
hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 011 046 or visit
the
VVCS website (http://www.vvcs.gov.au/)
to access free and confidential Australia-wide
counselling and support for mental health conditions.
"The
Government is ensuring those who have served our country
can readily access appropriate support services and
treatment for the mental health challenges they may
face."
Further
information on the RESTORE trial can be found on the
Phoenix Australia website
(http://phoenixaustralia.org/expertise/research/current-treatment-trials/restore/).
