Ex- Defence staff suffer mental pain
NEARLY half of all Australian Defence Force personnel who transitioned into civilian life experienced a mental illness in the past 12 months, according to a government report.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs ( DVA) has released the first stages of research examining the impact of military service and the transition process to civilian life.
The Mental Health Prevalence and Pathways to Care reports studied the effects of service on Australian Defence Force personnel and the mental health of ex- serving members.
The most cited reasons for leaving the ADF include the impact on their families, mental health and physical injuries.
Anxiety was the most common type of mental illness among ex- serving men and women, with 37 per cent experiencing an anxiety disorder.
PTSD, panic attacks and social phobia were the most com- mon types of anxiety disorders experienced.
Disturbing figures show more than 20 per cent of transitioned ex- personnel thought about or made plans to commit suicide in the past 12 months.
Of those transitioned people, nearly 30 per cent felt their life was not worth living, more than 20 per cent had felt so low that they thought about taking their own life, nearly 10 per cent had made a suicide plan, and two per cent attempted suicide.
DVA Minister Darren Chester said the study showed more assistance needed to be provided to help veterans and their families. “Transitioning from the ADF into civilian life can be a daunting and challenging experience, which is why it is so important to understand what the issues are, so we can ensure our current personnel and those transitioning out of the ADF are fully supported,” he said.
“There is a growing level of mental health awareness and greater willingness to seek care among both current serving and transitioned ADF members and I commend anyone who seeks help for mental health.
“We are constantly striving to deliver the support and services needed for those who have served our nation.”
Mr Chester said the federal government was improving access to mental health care and employment assistance programs for ex- serving members.
“We are putting veterans and their families first,” he said.
“Providing free treatment for any mental health condition to all those who have served at least one day in fulltime ADF service is just one of the key Government initiatives already in place to address these issues.”