We are now two weeks since the release of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and looks like we already have moved on despite this being a growing concern.
Every year, between 5,500 and 6,500 members transition out of full-time ADF service. For many, this period is marked by instability and uncertainty, often leading to heightened risks of suicide and mental health challenges.
A particular area of concern is the group of veterans who face involuntary separation. 💔
One of the major issues highlighted in the Royal Commission is the lack of access to consistent and adequate healthcare during and after this transition. Veterans often face delays, lack of transparency, and insufficient mental health support in the MEC Review Board process, which governs their medical discharge and future care. This disempowering system contributes to the growing mental health crisis.
As one veteran described:
"The purpose of military training is literally to take you, as a member of regular society, and to turn you into a soldier, a sailor, an airman. By breaking you down and building you up again. Into something different. It teaches you to think differently, can change your belief system, the way you make decisions, to operate at long periods of time at a heightened state, to react differently, even down to walking and carrying yourself differently. You are no longer a civilian, and in reality, you will never be one again."
It’s crucial that we not only raise awareness about these challenges but also advocate for better healthcare access for veterans—particularly for mental health services. Whether it’s timely access to treatments, long-term care, or support during the transition to civilian life, our veterans deserve reliable and compassionate healthcare systems. 🇦🇺
Needless to say, we need to do better for those who are literally putting their life on the line to protect yours and mine.
#VeteranHealthcare #MentalHealthSupport #ADF #HealthcareAccess #VeteranCare #SupportOurVeterans
