Defence Allegedly Stole Mental Health App Developed by Veterans Group, Similar App Made

An Australian war veteran’s group has alleged that a mental health app it developed was stolen by the Australian Defence Force and given to consultancy giant Deloitte, which then created a similar app.

An Australian war veteran’s group has alleged that a mental health app it developed was stolen by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and given to consultancy firm. Jenny Kane/AP Photo

An Australian war veteran’s group has alleged that a mental health app it developed was stolen by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and given to consultancy firm Deloitte, which then created a similar app.

Adrian Sutter, founder of proactive mental health organisations Swiss 8 and Recalibr8, and an East Timor and Afghan war veteran, helped develop a mental health app—Swiss 8—to support at-risk young veterans in their transition back to civilian life, reported News Corp.

“The name of the app came about because many returning soldiers did not want to have anything to do with defence-linked or government organisations,” Mr. Sutter said, adding that Switzerland was chosen for its name as the country is neutral and not linked with any war.

Mr. Sutter said he shared the ideas behind Swiss 8 during a Defence eHealth discussion in Canberra in 2019. The ADF then allegedly shared the idea with Deloitte, which received funding to develop a similar app called “HeadStrength.”

“Instead of offering funding or support to Swiss 8, Defence and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) shared our insights and ideas with consulting firm Deloitte, who received over $1 million to develop an app called HeadStrength,” Mr. Sutter said in a submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

“Swiss 8 had requested only $200,000 in funding compared to the significant investment made in HeadStrength.”

Mr. Sutter said that Deloitte’s app execution fell short, lacked user friendliness, and failed to engage veterans effectively. This was shown with the uptick in Swiss 8 downloads, with 10,000 veterans having downloaded Mr. Sutter’s app by 2021.

Mr. Sutter also alleged that ideas developed by smaller veteran organisations such as his are “routinely stolen” by either government or larger veteran organisations run by former military officials.

Meanwhile, a Defence spokesperson told The Epoch Times in a statement that HeadStrength “was developed as the final element of an enhanced mental health screening continuum and allowed users to track mood and complete anonymous mental health self-checks.”

“It provides tailored resources to assist users to navigate the mental health support available and learn more about mental health related to their current mood and in other areas of interest.

“HeadStrength is limited to Defence Australian Public Service employees and ADF personnel and their families, and is fit for purpose as a result of its co-design with ADF personnel’s feedback.

“Deloitte Touche Tomatsu was the successful tenderer following a competitive limited tender process to source the skillset to build and deliver the app.”

Deloitte has been approached for comment.

Allegations of ‘Toxic Culture’ at Open Arms

Allegations of a toxic culture within Open Arms—the Australian government’s veteran and family counselling service provider—were also made by Mr. Sutter, who resigned from organisation’s National Advisory Committee in July.

“The pervasive toxic culture within Open Arms, coupled with the government’s disregard for interventions developed in partnership with the veteran community, has left me disillusioned and deeply concerned about the future of veteran mental health care,” Mr. Sutter wrote to Veteran Affairs Minister Matt Keogh.

“Young veterans and family members, full of energy and motivation, were drained and burnt out within the first six months due to the organisational practices that failed to prioritise their wellbeing.

“The absence of a peer wellbeing program and the continued exploitation of young veterans as props for the organisation’s public image is disheartening and unsustainable.”

Mr. Sutter added that the organisation was more focussed on “pleasing politicians and generals” than prioritising the mental wellbeing of army veterans.

However, the DVA has denied any toxic culture at Open Arms and said that it is committed to the cultural change process for veterans and their families.

“Results from the latest published APS Census show that staff indicated positively to questions that Open Arms actively promotes an inclusive workplace culture, and leaders are committed to the cultural change process,” a spokesperson from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Mr. Sutter’s organisation, Swiss 8, has been approached for comment.

Veterans Get New PTSD Treatment

In August 2022, the ADF announced that veterans will be able to access a new form of accelerated treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The treatment will allow for exposure therapy for veterans to take place over an intensive two-week period, rather than the standard weekly treatment over 10 weeks.

Research into Rapid Exposure Supporting Trauma Recovery, also known as RESTORE, found it was equally effective as standard therapy, with veterans taking part being less likely to drop out. According to the Defence Department, Prolonged Exposure therapy is a gold standard evidence-based treatment best described as a type of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy.

The research emerged from a partnership between the Department of Defence, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.

Assistant Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the high rates of PTSD among former ADF members made the research even more critical.

“We are committed to offering veterans experiencing PTSD the best range of treatments possible,” Mr. Thistlethwaite said. “This treatment offers veterans a shorter method of therapy that may better fit their lifestyle.”

“Some people may recover without professional assistance and get back to their normal lives with the support of family and friends,” according to the Department of Defence.

“For others, the distressing symptoms do not subside and can intensify to the point that normal functioning at work and in their private lives is severely affected.

“Generally, these people will need specialised professional assistance to recover their normal functioning, but most will eventually go on to lead normal, productive, and satisfying lives. PTSD is a treatable condition.”