The
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan Tehan, said the
Government would increase mental health support for
Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans.
The
Government Response to the Senate Inquiry Report on the
mental health of ADF members and veterans was tabled in
the Senate today.
"The Senate
Inquiry Report’s recommendations emphasise the
importance of accessing help early which is consistent
with the Government’s approach to supporting our ADF and
veterans," Mr Tehan said.
"The
Government is getting on with the job of ensuring ADF
members and veterans who face mental health challenges
can access the mental health services they require.
"Since July
1 this year the Government has made free mental health
treatment available to all current and former permanent
members of the ADF for a range of conditions, including
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety,
depression, and alcohol and substance use disorders.
"The
Government has committed $6 million to establish a
Phoenix Australia institute for world-leading experts
and research to improve mental health treatment and
reduce the burden of post-traumatic stress among our
veterans.
"We have
announced an additional $3.1 million to further extend
access to the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling
Service.
"There is
additional support available now to ADF members,
veterans and families, and I encourage anyone who has
concerns about their mental health or the mental health
of someone they know to ask for help."
Mr Tehan
said the Government had also engaged the National Mental
Health Commission to analyse the effectiveness of
suicide and self-harm prevention services provided by
Defence and DVA.
The Government Response to the
Senate Inquiry Report can be found at:
www.dva.gov.au/about-dva/publications/corporate/australian-government-response-foreign-affairs-defence-and-trade
