Former 3rd Brigade Commander to lead suicide prevention project

A FORMER Commander of 3rd Brigade will lead the Townsville-based ex-ADF and families suicide prevention project, a Federal government initiative to help save lives.

Three-star general, retired Lieutenant General John Caligari AO, DSC. Picture: Wesley Monts

A FORMER commander of 3rd Brigade will lead the Townsville-based ex-ADF members and families suicide prevention project, a Federal government initiative to help save lives.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced three-star general Lieutenant General John Caligari AO, DSC (retired), as the chair of the project’s steering committee.

“Whenever I walk around town, I don’t go very far without someone recognising me and you see the look in their eyes where they’re looking to me now to take leadership on this (mental health),” Mr Caligari said.

“We know there is a problem because they all hear the news stories.

“I see myself as having an obligation as a former commander of 3rd Brigade to do something for my men and women, the people who served with me and their families.”

• DVA studies suicide stats
• Veterans best at helping other veterans
• Townsville veteran calling for DVA to automatically issue free health card entitlement

The Turnbull Government will provide $3 million over three years to the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network to conduct the suicide prevention project and commission services.

As part of the trial, Project Synergy will work with the PHN to develop tailored digital mental health solutions.

Mr Caligari, who retired in Townsville, said his committee of five had recently recruited a project officer and was now looking to finalise the trial’s governance by establishing four associated reference groups.

“The statistic that veterans aged from 18 to 25 are taking their own lives at twice the national rate is shocking … and it’s more shocking because Townsville is the youngest veteran community in Australia by a country mile,” he said.

“Townsville has a lot of building blocks to tackle this issue, there just isn’t a lot coming together at the moment.

“If you’re suffering from a mental health problem then you’re not inclined to go chasing around for help too much.”

Targeting suicide among former ADF members who were under 30 was a priority recommendation of the National Mental Health Commission review into the suicide and self-harm prevention services available to current and former serving ADF members and their families, which was released publicly last month.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan Tehan said he had tasked the Departments of Defence and tVeterans’ Affairs to respond to the review and work together to address issues.

“The NMHC has produced a comprehensive document that identifies strengths and weaknesses in the suicide prevention services provided to current and former members of the ADF,” Mr Tehan said.

“The review found the ADF and DVA must work collaboratively to ensure their respective processes are seamless and continuous and we will focus on delivering that change.”

Anyone who has served in the fulltime ADF can access free treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse by calling the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 1800 555 254 or emailing [e-mail].

Originally published as Former 3rd Brigade Commander to lead suicide prevention project