AMA supports better mental health services for defence force personnel
The AMA supports many of the recommendations of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report into the Mental Health of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Members and Veterans, which was released yesterday.
AMA President, Professor Brian Owler, said today the proposal for annual mental health screening for Australian Defence Force personnel is particularly welcome.
“The 2010 ADF Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study that found that, while the 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in the ADF is the same as that of the community, the ADF has a different profile of mental disorder,” Professor Owler said.
“This reflects the occupational stressors to which ADF personnel are exposed, such as deployment experiences and absence from family and support networks.
“ADF personnel suffer more from mental health complaints such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and making a suicide plan.
“Annual screening would help ensure that mental health problems are identified at a much earlier stage, would support early intervention, and lead to much better mental health outcomes for affected personnel.
“The Report recommends the development of a universal identifier for veterans that is linked to their service and medical record, a concept supported by the AMA.
“A similar recommendation was made in the 2013 report of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on the inquiry into the care of Australian Defence Force personnel wounded and injured on military operations.
“The 2013 recommendation for a unique identifier was given ‘in-principle’ support by the Government, but little progress appears to have been made since then.
“A unique or universal identifier could help improve health outcomes for these patients. It would allow longitudinal tracking, which is critical to improving the robustness of research into the health of serving and former ADF personnel.
“It could also support the transition from ADF-funded health services to services funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and mainstream health services.
“There is strong support for this concept among veterans’ groups consulted by the AMA.
“The AMA encourages the Government and the bureaucracy to fast track this important initiative to support defence force personnel,” Professor Owler said.
18 March 2016
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