‘Unique’ role cited for alarming veteran suicide rates, family stress

War, bushfires and pestilence has hammered our armed forces with more than 1400 Australian Defence Force members showing suicidal “ideation”, Defence has revealed.

War, bushfires and pestilence has hammered our armed forces with more than 1400 Australian Defence Force members showing suicidal “ideation” and 84 presenting to clinicians after an attempt, a sobering Defence report has revealed.

But despite 24/7 counselling and support access and last year deploying more than 400 mental health education and awareness programs including specifically for those on Operation Covid-19 Assist duty, stresses and harm rates particularly by those aged in their 20s were increasing.

In its detailed “background paper” submission to the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission on Wednesday, Defence concedes the “learning journey” continued as it appealed to members to engage with the inquiry.

Most of those 1439 with suicidal ideation that presented to clinics between July 2019 and June 2021, were males aged 18 to 29 years and many had had a previous “exposure to trauma” prior to ADF signing up.

Australian Army soldiers from Special Operations Task Group salute a fallen mate killed in conflict, as an RAAF C-17 aircraft departs Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Picture: Department of Defence

Defence conceded suicide rates for ex-service personnel, male and female, was higher than serving members and higher than rates in the general Australian population.

In the case of ex-service women it was 127 per cent or 2.27 times higher than the Australian community average and for men 21 per cent higher.

Suicidal behaviour was highest in the Royal Australian Navy than the other services but Army had the highest rate of suicidal ideation.

An Australian Army soldier from Special Operations Task Group prepares for a night mission in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, in 2010. Picture: Department of Defence

As at August 17, 2021, there were six suicides by serving members equal to the 2019 total; in 2020 there was nine. Veteran rates were considerably higher.

It said personnel “sacrificed many freedoms” to serve, faced risks whether on battlefields or fighting fires or Covid-19 and submitted to laws and systems the general community did not.

“The burden of military service is also shared by the families of ADF members. Family moves are regular, sometimes seemingly random and frequently stressful. Partners’ careers may be interrupted with a commensurate loss of income, with impacts on childcare and schooling.”

It cited a 2015 report that found upon entering the ADF only one third of personnel reported no prior trauma exposure, while about 75 per cent of General Entry and 65 per cent of Officers entered training with at least one potentially traumatic event.

Australian Army soldiers putting out hot spots to prevent the reignition of bushfires during Operation Bushfire Assist 2019-2020. Picture: Supplied

“Many ADF members who experience moderate mental health symptoms while serving, can go on to develop more severe conditions when leaving service. For example, 28 per cent of former ADF members with a probable mental health condition had experienced moderate mental health symptoms while still serving,” it concluded.

While 80 per cent of ADF members had high levels of wellbeing throughout their service, “elevated psychological symptoms at the conclusion of Initial Training had the potential to worsen over time if untreated reinforcing the importance of screening, early identification and intervention initiatives”.

Australian Defence Force armoured vehicle is seen on the Princes Highway bringing supplies to communities cut off by bushfires. Picture: Getty Images

In its background submission, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs conceded more could be done for ex-service personnel.

“DVA recognises that its services, approaches, processes and culture have not always kept pace with the changing needs and expectations of the veteran community. DVA has listened to feedback from the veteran community, and multiple reviews and inquiries over time, which have indicated that improvements are required.”

For help: Open Arms counselling, treatment, suicide prevention training – 1800 011 046

ADF Support Line – 1800 628 036

Lifeline Crisis support and suicide prevention help – 131 114