The Returned and Services League (RSL) has welcomed the Australian government’s announcement of a royal commission into veteran suicide rates, saying it was supremely important and a matter of urgency.
“The issue of veterans’ mental health and veteran suicide is supremely important and must be addressed as a matter of urgency; the RSL is calling for immediate action with no further delay,” Melick said.
“The RSL and its veteran members will continue to provide support to find solutions that deal with the scourge of veterans’ suicide which impacts severely on the entire veteran community.”
Mellick noted that in previous inquiries past federal governments had only managed to implement one-quarter of their recommendations, which had no significant impact on the rates of veteran suicides.
“While the suicide rate in the armed services is well below the national average, among veterans, it is four times the national average. That is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue,” he added.
“It’s as a result of their service. It’s as a result of the decision they took to join the Defence Forces and to serve and to defend our values.”
Morrison said this meant that the death of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is one death too many, and this includes when that death is from suicide.
“We have always recognised that the rate of suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans is unacceptably high,” the prime minister said.
“In recognising the sacrifices made by our serving and former members and their families on behalf of the nation, we owe it to members, veterans and their families to continue to take action.”
The royal commission will be given the mandate to look into any systemic issues and themes in past deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans. It will also look at the experience of members and veterans who may still be at risk of suicide.
The Commission will also look into all aspects of the Australian Defence Force and the experiences of ADF members who are transitioning from active service. This includes the impact on veterans by the availability and quality of health and support services, the effect of social and family issues, as well as housing and employment.
A spokesperson from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) told The Epoch Times that the Royal Commission provides veterans and their families an opportunity to tell their story and a chance for families to heal.
The spokesperson also noted that the DVA would continue to provide all support and services and reminded any veteran and their family members who are currently struggling and need help to contact DVA to access support.
“The Government provides more than $230 million a year to support veteran mental health—which is uncapped and driven by demand—part of an $11 billion annual spend for services and support for veterans and their families,” the DVA spokesperson said.
DVA provides access to free comprehensive mental health care services to anyone with a single day of continuous full-time service in the ADF, as well as reservists with disaster relief or border protection service or those injured in a service-related training accident. The clinicians and counsellors are also all specifically equipped to understand the unique nature of military service.
