ADDRESS TO THE AUSTRALIAN PEACEKEEPERS AND PEACEMAKERS VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Thank you for the invitation to speak today at your national conference; it is an absolute pleasure to be here.

 

I would like to begin today by acknowledging the traditional owners on whose land we meet and pay my respect to their elders both past and present.

 

I’d also like to acknowledge the following:

Minister for Veterans Affairs, Hon Dan Tehan MP

APPVA National President, Mr Allan Thomas

APPVA Patron, Major General Ian Gordon AO (retired)

Vietnam Veterans Federation Australia National President, Mr Jim Wain

All delegates and representatives of APPVA here today

 

Today I have been asked to speak on the issue of veterans’ suicide.

 

But first I would like to acknowledge the 70 year anniversary of Australia’s involvement peace keeping operations and in particular those men and women of the ADF, Police and civilians that have made a contribution. Also I would like to recognise the Australian peace keepers and peace makers veterans association for 20 years of representation and service to your members. 

Addressing the issue of veteran’s suicide I know is of critical importance to you as it is me.

 

This topic is particularly timely given the recent release of the Senate inquiry into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel which was initiated by Senator Lambie and supported by Labor.

 

Suicide is often the tragic consequence of poor mental health and difficult life events so it is therefore critical that we do all we do all we can to support the mental health of our veterans.

 

Having previously worked as a psychologist before I was a member of parliament, I know that talking openly about mental illness and suicide is vital to overcoming stigma.

 

Stigma compounds the impact of mental illness. Not only does the individual suffering from poor mental health have to manage their symptoms, the stigma can be isolating causing them to withdraw further for fear of being rejected or misunderstood. It can also prevent individuals from disclosing their struggles and ask for help so they can continue living a full and productive life.

 

And the consequence of this stigma and this reluctance to get help can be disastrous.

 

Earlier this year the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare completed a study into the Incidence of Suicide Among Service and Ex-serving Australian Defence Personnel and found that while serving members have a lower than average suicide rate but when they finish their service, the risk of suicide is 13% higher than the general population.

 

Of particular concern, the report identified that men who were no longer serving and were aged 18-24 were twice as likely to die by suicide than men of the same age in the general population.

 

In addition men who were discharged involuntarily from the ADF were 2.4 times more likely to die than those who discharged voluntarily.

 

And those who were discharged for medical reasons were 3.6 times more like to die by suicide than those who discharged voluntarily.

 

In addition to suicide, it is worth looking the impact of self-harm in our veteran community.

 

The National Mental Health Commission’s review found that it is hard to quantify those inflicting self-harm in the current and ex-serving defence community as there is very little information available about the prevalence in this group. But we know that this is a sign of poor mental health function and can lead to accidental death.

 

This is an area we need to better understand.

 

In Australia DVA claims data indicate there were a total of 986 hospitalisations for intentional self-harm from 2000 to 2016.

 

This is a deeply concerning number.

 

While not the scope of the Australian study, it is important that we consider the prevalence of suicidal ideation as well as suicide itself.

 The 2010 Australian Defence Force Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing study found that, when compared to the general Australian community, ADF personnel reported a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation, 3.9% compared with 1.7% and suicide plans, 1.1% compared with 0.4%.

 

All the data presented has been across the whole ADF population however it is important to recognise the unique experiences of peacekeepers and mental health as well.

 

Peacekeeping missions present a wide variety of stresses that have short and long term effects on mental health. Missions may involve experiences not unlike combat deployments, with personnel encountering numerous stressful and potential traumatic events such as delivering humanitarian aid amidst volatile environments, coming under fire and witnessing atrocities.

 

Peacekeepers can also be exposed to a wider range of stressors than they would in combat suffering from isolation, feelings of frustration, rage and helplessness, all of which increase the stress of our personnel in these roles. 

 

Published in 2016, a study of 1025 Australian Peacekeepers titled The Long-Term Mental Health Impact of Peacekeeping: Prevalence and Predictors of Psychiatric Disorder’ found that for 1014 participants reported high levels of exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events with most being exposed to multiple events.

 

They also found that pre-deployment, the prevalence of mental health disorders was low, however post deployment, the 12 month prevalence for suicidal ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempts was high, with 10.7% reporting suicidal ideation, 5.8% had a plan and 1% a suicide attempt.

 

This is particularly concerning and recognises the specific impact of peacekeeping on our personnel.

 

It is clear from numerous reports that we must support the mental health of our veterans and make suicide prevention a priority.

 

So what could we do to better support our ex-serving defence personnel?

 

This was one of the elements which formed the terms of reference for the recent senate inquiry into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel.

 This inquiry received over 400 submissions which highlighted a range of different factors which have contributed to a feeling of hopelessness in some veterans.

 

The Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, as a part of Griffith University, said the “reasons are multidimensional and include a range of veteran specific risk factors including difficulty returning to civilian life, relationship problems, mental illness, alcohol and drug use, employment programs, bereavement and loss of routine and structure that characterises military life and veterans reluctance to seek help”.

 

While the Government’s introduction of Non-Liability Health Care has a part to play in this process, good mental health is about more than just the provision of clinical services.

 

In order to fully address these issues and prevent our veterans from feeling as though they have no other option, we need to take a holistic view of the veteran and their family.

 

We need to recognise the importance of financial security, strong social support and connectedness, secure housing, family support, good physical health and fulfilling employment. 

 

Perhaps one of the areas where effective support and engagement could have the biggest impact is during transition.

 

This is an issue which your organisation has been discussing for some time, raising issues around the culture shock of transition and the lack of awareness about the role of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. But also that Defence has a critical responsibility in the transition process.

 

How to prepare for discharge is different for each person. The needs of someone who leaves voluntarily is vastly different to those who are medically discharged or leave involuntarily. However while their needs are different our obligation remains the same.

 

As the National Mental Health Commission’s report stated “transition should enable all departing personnel to leave with dignity, hope, and some certainty about their future, regardless of the circumstances of their discharge”

 

A key element of transition is assisting veterans to find fulfilling employment

 

Supporting veterans into employment, providing them with the tools they need and ensuring industry understands the value they bring has the potential to produce better outcomes for our veterans and their families.

 

And for those who would like to go onto further study, we should be proactive in helping them to achieve their goals. I know this is an issue which is important to the APPVA, forming part of your submission to the 2015 senate inquiry into Mental Health of ADF Serving Personnel.

 Of course, circumstances are different tor those who are medically discharged, as there may be no immediate path to employment as a result of service wounds or injuries. These individuals are at the mercy of the DVA claims process and the timeframes taken to process needs assessments and incapacity payments.

 

In addition, their condition can be exacerbated by gaps in their rehabilitation through the lack of continuity in clinical care while moving from defence to civilian rehabilitation programs

 

I know I am not telling you anything new, the APPVA plays an important role in advocacy for individuals going through this process and are well versed in these experiences.

 

In order to address these systemic issues within the department, at the last election Labor proposed a First Principles Review of DVA. This is a principle based end to end review of the department and its processes. I continue to discuss this policy with the ex-service community and my party as a way to address these issues and restore trust in the department.

 

Addressing the issues in the claims process will assist those requiring additional assistance to gain financial security and continue any necessary care, without gaps. These are important protective factors to prevent poor mental health and complex social problems.

 

In addition, it is important that those transitioning are able to maintain their social connectedness. When they leave the regulated and highly structured environment of Defence, surrounded by colleagues and supports, the transition to civilian life can be jarring.

 

Maintaining this connectedness is something the APPVA does so well. Providing an opportunity for those who served to meet and spend time together, to give that deeper understanding that can only come from someone who has been there. This peer to peer support can bring down barriers and assist people to ask for help.

 

I believe we need to seriously consider how government can better support organisations, such as the APPVA, to provide peer to peer support.

 

While the focus of the senate inquiry was to identify gaps and areas where we could be doing more to support our ex-serving defence personnel, it also highlighted the impact service has on families.

 

This critical role of family members in supporting our current and ex-serving defence personnel is often not acknowledged or appreciated by government as much as it should.

 

Peacekeeping presents unique stressors for individuals and unique experiences for their loved ones, in part due to their different deployment structures. We need to consider how best to acknowledge and support those who play such a critical role in assisting our current and ex-serving defence community. 

 

It is for this reason Labor has recently committed if elected to develop a Family Engagement and Support Strategy for Defence Personnel and Veterans; a key recommendation of the National Mental Health Commissions review.

 

This strategy would provide a national blueprint to include engagement of DVA and Defence with military families. It would also ensure the best practice support for families of serving personnel and ex-ADF members was consistently available across the country. After all greater support for military families is greater support for our current and ex-serving defence personnel.

 

A Family Engagement and Support Strategy for Defence Personnel and Veterans seeks to address the lack of engagement and, importantly acknowledge of the critical role these family members play.

 Veteran suicide is a complex issue with no quick fixes and while clinical services play a role, it is also important we acknowledge the broader picture of what good mental health looks like.

 

In closing I would like to acknowledge the role organisations such as yours is playing with regards to this important and complicated issue.

 

Suffering from mental illness can be all encompassing. Depression tells you that you are alone and a burden to those you love. For those who have served the feeling of isolation and of misunderstanding is compounded. Having people to talk to and a network of peers who understand what it is like to serve helps to bring walls down and provide that safe space to talk.

 

The work the APPVA does is vital and in a very real sense saves people’s lives. This does not go unacknowledged.

 

Finally, thank you for giving me the opportunity to discuss this important issue. Addressing veterans’ suicide requires a coordinated approach and I am happy to see it form part of the broader discussions being held here today. 

 

Thank you