Afghanistan: Australian defence veterans in distress over Kabul scenes

Australians have been asked to phone and “say g’day” to a veteran they know, as ex-servicemen make 480 calls a day for support.

Australians have been asked to telephone and “say g’day” to a veteran as new figures show hundreds a day are calling help lines to speak about the harrowing scenes in Kabul.

The Minister Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Andrew Gee today met with ex-service organisations from across Australia to discuss support initiatives.

He appealed to the key 12 agencies including the RSL, Defence Families Australia, Legacy and Defence Reserves Association to “join forces”.

“Community and ex-service organisations play a critical role in the support of the veteran community and today they reiterated their commitment working with the Australian Government to deliver a united effort at this difficult time,” Mr Gee said.

He had already instructed his department to contact families of the 41 fallen ADF soldiers during the Afghanistan conflict and other veterans but he said the community could help.

“I would also encourage Australians to pick up the phone to say ‘g’day’ to any veterans you may know,” Mr Gee said.

“Now more than ever it’s vitally important to stay connected. A friendly voice can make all the difference to a mate who may be in need.”

His appeal came as figures from Open Arms, Australia’s leading provider of mental health assessment and clinical counselling services for veterans and families, showed a spike in calls of now up to 480 calls a day.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Andrew Gee in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire

In July this year the service received about 10,000 calls with the peak in March of 11,398 calls. Other agencies have reported similar rises.

The peaks correspond with harrowing new details notably in Afghanistan with the number of calls post the fall of Kabul said to be higher.

It comes as families whose sons lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan are being contacted by the Veterans Affairs Department over the harrowing scenes now playing out in that country.

The chaos in Kabul as well as reports of local Afghans who served with our Australian Defence Forces struggling to get out has prompted an uptick in veterans seeking support and counselling.

Mr Gee said he recognised the swift fall of Afghanistan may be causing distress but reiterated the 41 ADF who lost their lives will never be forgotten.

“I understand many of those who served our nation in Afghanistan may feel frustrated, concerned and distressed at what is unfolding there,” Mr Gee said.

“My primary concern is the wellbeing of all of our veterans, Defence personnel, here at home and abroad, and their families.

“I have asked the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to contact the families of ADF members who lost their lives in Afghanistan, as well as any veterans the Department is aware of who could suffer adversely as a result of what is currently happening in Afghanistan.”

Ivan Slavich from Soldier On. Picture: supplied

The national not-for-profit Soldier On, Australia’s only fully integrated veteran support services provider working with 5000 veterans and their families, said the developments in Afghanistan may present new or resurfacing challenges for the Defence community.

“While our time in Afghanistan has amounted to great loss and sacrifice from our service personnel, as well as their families and the supporters of our forces, the impact on the lives of the Afghan people has been immeasurable,” Soldier On CEO Ivan Slavich said.

“We must remember the tireless work of our brave personnel, the progress that their sacrifices have allowed, and ensure they remain supported.”

Originally published as Afghanistan: Australian defence veterans in distress over Kabul scenes