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Dateline
- March 29, 2007
$5.5
million for Veterans' Mental Health Centre
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Australia's
veteran and defence force communities will reap the rewards of
continued leading edge mental health advice and research after
the Australian Government negotiated a new five-year, $5.5 million
contract with the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health
(ACPMH). The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson, said
ACPMH had provided invaluable support to the Repatriation Commission
and the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), and the new contract
strengthened the Department's unique relationship with the Centre.
"A collaborative venture with the University of Melbourne,
ACPMH is internationally recognised for research, policy and service
development expertise in trauma and mental health. By working
with organisations such as ACPMH, we tap into the nation's brightest
research minds in difficult treatment areas such as Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder," the Minister said. "Mental health
disorders such as PTSD often harm a veteran's family and social
relationships, leading to a life that can be tragic and heartbreaking.
I am determined to help lead the way in finding solutions to these
complex mental health issues."
Mr Billson said ACPMH had provided expert support services to
DVA for more than 11 years. The services include specialist research
and advice on veteran and military mental health such as posttraumatic
mental health, the identification and application of best practice
treatment, and the development and delivery of education and training
programs. "ACPMH has helped us implement world-class treatments
in posttraumatic and general mental healthcare, as well as raise
veterans' mental health awareness," he said.
Recent Government initiatives developed with the help of ACMPH
include:
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DVA's Pathways to Care report, which examines mental health care
access by veterans; |
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An innovative mental health service model to guide the Government
in the delivery and purchase of future mental health services
for veterans; |
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Alcohol Practice Guidelines and an advice book for practitioners
on the treatment of common mental health problems, including anxiety
and depression; and
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Accreditation and outcome monitoring of DVA-funded treatment for
posttraumatic mental health. |
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"My Department's top priority is supporting the needs of
the veteran community and our impressive level of research funding
is further evidence of that continuing commitment," Mr Billson
said.
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