Report

Mental health of Australian Defence Force members and veterans

17 March 2016

© Commonwealth of Australia 2016
ISBN 978-1-76010-382-8

View the report as a single document - (PDF 1270KB)


View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Committee Membership (PDF 28KB)
Abbreviations (PDF 27KB)
Recommendations (PDF 44KB)
Chapter 1 - Introduction (PDF 32KB)

Conduct of inquiry
Past parliamentary inquiries
Structure of report
Definitions
Acknowledgements

Chapter 2 - Prevalence of mental ill-health (PDF 442KB)

Introduction
Prevalence of mental ill-health in the Australian Defence Force
Heightened risk factors of service
Prevalence of mental health disorders in veterans
Suicide
Prevalence of mental ill-health in families of ADF members and veterans
Significance and impact of mental ill-health
Committee view

Chapter 3 - Identification and disclosure of mental ill-health (PDF 206KB)

Introduction
ADF Mental Health Strategies
ADF Mental Health Reform Program
Requirement for ADF members to be 'medically fit'
Screening and early identification of mental ill-health
Privacy
Recordkeeping for ADF members
Identification and screening of mental ill-health during transition
Veteran Mental Health Strategy
Identification of mental ill-health in veterans
Committee view

Chapter 4 - Mental health services (PDF 177KB)

Introduction
Diagnosis and treatment of mental illness
Mental health services available to ADF members
Mental health services available to veterans
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS)
Mental health services available to partners, carers, and families
Committee view

Chapter 5 - Barriers to accessing mental health services (PDF 206KB)

Introduction
Stigma and perceived barriers to care
Department of Veterans' Affairs claims processes
Availability of services in regional and remote areas
Committee view

Chapter 6 - Discharge, transition to civilian life, and veteran homelessness (PDF 131KB)

Introduction
Discharge
Rehabilitation, education and re-skilling
Continuity of support and transfer of responsibility of care from ADF to DVA
Veteran homelessness
Committee view

Additional Comments from the Australian Greens (PDF 26KB)

Identification and disclosure of mental ill-health
Mental health services
Barriers to accessing mental health services
Discharge, transition to civilian life, and veteran homelessness

Appendix 1 - Submissions (PDF 16KB)
Appendix 2 - Tabled documents, answers to questions on notice, and additional information (PDF 17KB)

Tabled documents
Additional information
Answer to Question on Notice

Appendix 3 - Public hearings and witnesses (PDF 17KB)

Monday 31 August 2015
Tuesday 1 September 2015
Monday 21 September 2015
Wednesday 18 November 2015

Committee Secretariat contact:

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3535
fadt.sen@aph.gov.au