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The
Government’s comprehensive suicide prevention strategy for
veterans, Operation Life, will be further strengthened with a
series of workshops planned across the country, the Minister for
Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said today. Delivering
on an election commitment to boost funding for suicide prevention
workshops by $1 million, Mr Griffin said advertisements for suitably
qualified professionals to conduct workshops across Australia
would appear from tomorrow.
“The workshops
are to be delivered through the VVCS––Veterans and
Veterans Families Counselling Service,” Mr Griffin said.
“Operation
Life is a strategy to help prevent suicide and promote mental
health and resilience across the veteran community. It is focused
on preserving, promoting and protecting life, and equipping
veterans and their families with the tools to recognise and
act on mental health issues.”
The Operation Life
workshops will be provided for veterans and the peacekeeping
community including families and carers, in all states and territories,
including rural and remote locations. It
is anticipated that there will be workshops ranging from an
introductory workshop to more intensive skills based suicide
prevention workshops and short refresher workshops.
“We expect that
workshops will start in early 2009 following completion of the
current tender process. The
veteran community deserves the best mental health services and
support available, and these workshops will better equip them
to recognise the symptoms of depression and to encourage mates
and family members to get help in the early stages,” Mr
Griffin said.
Information packs
about the tender (DVA/OL/01/08) are available at www.tenders.gov.au
Tenders close 3pm AEST on Monday, 13 October 2008.
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