“The importance of the mental health of our Defence Force members is just as important as their physical wellbeing”, Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said today. “This fact is clearly reflected in the excellent multidisciplinary initiatives and programs developed to monitor and assist our sailors, soldiers, air men and air women, particularly those returning from operations overseas.” Defence has invested significant resources in mental health programs including the implementation of a comprehensive suicide prevention program as part of the ADF Mental Health Strategy.

In addition to Defence’s Deployment Health Surveillance Program (DHSP), Defence has also initiated a research project by the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH) to examine the long-term health issues of deployed personnel. CMVH is a consortium consisting of specialists from The University of Queensland, University of Adelaide and Charles Darwin University which is dedicated to innovatively seeking solutions to military and veterans’ health issues through research, professional health education, e-health and public debate.

ACM Houston said, “These comprehensive mental health programs have been specifically designed to identify any problems and assist our people to return to a normal life on completion of deployments. “While physiological and psychological health assessments and support are mandated as part of our operational deployment regime, it is important that all returning ADF members realise the necessity to actively participate and support these programs as they may not recognise in themselves the telling indicators associated with Post Traumatic Stress. “I also implore any member who discharges from the military to utilise the support programs established by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs”, ACM Houston said.