Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide: Grieving mum Colleen Pillen to front hearing

Michael Powers was severely bullied in the Australian Defence Force before he took his own life. Now his mother wants justice.

For four years Colleen Pillen has never stopped thinking about her son Michael Powers and the way his life was cut so tragically short.

The 29-year-old, who served in the Australian Defence Force, was severely bullied and “rejected on every corner” when he tried to get psychological help.

But on Wednesday, Ms Pillen will carry her son’s name and story when she fronts the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in Sydney, where she hopes to “send a clear message” over the ADF’s failure to look after him.

She said the family still struggles to come to terms with the loss of the young veteran’s life.

“Our lives have been absolutely shattered and we're just devastated by Michael’s loss,” Ms Pillen said.

“We miss him every single day. Even four years after his death, his loss is acutely felt.

“It's important for us to tell Michael’s story at the Royal Commission to hopefully prevent this from happening again.”

Michael Powers with brothers Sean, left, and Anthony. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Pillen said her son had battled with anxiety and depression, but his pleas for help fell on deaf ears.

“Since Michael was young, all he ever wanted was to be a soldier,” she said.

But in about 2016 he was starting to get bullied by senior officers.

“They (the ADF) look for good people and then they treat them so badly and lose them. My son was a good soldier and they lost a really good man.”

In 2014, the 25-year-old joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville as a private and was due to be deployed to Iraq in 2017.

But his chances of deployment were cut short after he reported feeling unwell and was admitted to hospital for nearly two months.

Michael Powers died by suicide just months after his discharge.

“He used to call me up and say he was isolated and that no one ever visited him. The only reason he was there was because of the problems he developed from the bullying,” Ms Pillen said.

He was then administratively discharged instead of medically, leaving him ineligible for financial help once he left Defence.

“A clear message needs to be sent to the ADF and also DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) that when their members become unwell, they get the medical support and assistance required to ensure their safety and well being,” she said.

“The systemic failures need to be recognised and amended to prevent this from happening again.”

Need to talk to someone?

Don’t go it alone. Please reach out for help.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Open Arms: 1800 011 046