Suicide risk for former Australian Defence Force personnel doubles

The suicide risk among former Australian Defence Force personnel has doubled.

In an alarming finding, the longitudinal analysis of mental health changes has warned that more attention must be paid to veterans after they ­return to civilian life.

The suicide risk among former Australian Defence Force personnel has doubled, according to a report commissioned by the federal government, with some mental illnesses appearing to lie dormant during military service only to be diagnosed at a later stage.

In an alarming finding, the longitudinal analysis of mental health changes has warned that more attention must be paid to veterans after they ­return to civilian life. “Most worryingly, in the current report, the rate of suicidality doubled in those who transitioned between 2010 and 2015, to the extent that one in four personnel who transitioned out of the ADF reported suicidality,” the report found.

“There is an opportunity for early intervention for many of these individuals because two-thirds of ADF personnel who ­reported suicidality during ADF service still reported suicidality after transition.”

Asked if it was seeking to contact those veterans deemed in the report to be at risk of suicide, the Department of Veterans ­Affairs said it was “addressing the challenge” through a number of initiatives.

The department, which funded the report under its Transition and Wellbeing Research Program, would not be drawn on any possible explanations for the increase in suicide.

“Any suicide is a tragedy, and it is an issue that impacts on all Australians,” the department said. “Around eight Australians a day take their own life and suicide remains the greatest cause of death for men between the ages of 14 and 44. The government places the highest priority on effective suicide prevention programs and supporting families affected by suicide.”

The report called for ongoing monitoring of the current cohort of veterans and further research into the “long-term trajectories” of their mental health.

While ADF members with probable post-traumatic stress disorder showed remission over time, veterans showed an ­increase in some conditions, particularly anxiety. This was also the case for veterans whose symptoms had stayed below the threshold for a formal diagnosis during their military service.

“The finding that (below the threshold) levels of anxiety or PTSD pose a marked risk for subsequent worsening after ­discharge highlights the issue that one should not focus only on those individuals who display full disorders, but rather equal attention should be given to those with the early signs of anxiety or PTSD,” the report found.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.