Haunting video from Australian veteran before his death

A haunting video of Dave Whitfield pleading for help has re-emerged as his wife reveals he has since taken his own life.

A haunting video has emerged of an Australian Defence Force veteran and his wife pleading for support just a year before he took his own life.

Dave Whitfield and his wife Alison appeared on ABC’s Q&A in March last year, with the East Timor veteran revealing he had tried to take his life more than 30 times.

“I have very serious dreams every night — nightmares. I’m in full body pain constantly,” Mr Whitfield said.

The ADF veteran, who worked as a medic while he served, said he saw and did some things others may not have done, before revealing he had tried to take his own life more than 30 times.

Ms Whitfield said she was not just a wife but she was also her husband’s carer, psychologist and chemist, revealing she had found him and saved him multiple times.

For men who had voluntarily left the ADF between 1997 and 2021, the rate of suicide was 21.5 per 100,000 people each year. For women who served and were involuntarily discharged for medical reasons, they were 5.2 times more likely to die by suicide.

In total, 2007 active or former serving defence personnel have died by suicide between 1985 and 2021.

Ms Whitfield said the couple had no help after a veteran help centre closed, saying there were no services left available to them. She offered to welcome Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh into their home to see the impact of the closure on the couple.

Dave Whitfield, pictured with wife Alison, tried to take his life more than 30 times. Picture: Q&A

“That veterans’ centre meant everything to a lot of people and saved a lot of veterans’ lives — including Dave’s,” she said, claiming at the time that her husband wouldn’t be sitting next to her without it.

She said to Mr Keogh her husband may be Joe Blow but he served his country and he, and other veterans, deserve better.

Less than a year later, Mr Whitfield had taken his life. His wife often posts online about missing him, saying she will now grow old alone.

The couple’s story has resurfaced this week after the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its final report.

The royal commissioners who have spent the past three years investigating defence and veteran suicides say the Australian Defence Force poses a greater risk of trauma to military personnel than combat.

Alison often posts about missing her husband. Picture: Facebook

The commission, which launched in July 2021, received nearly 6000 submissions that painted a horrific picture of institutional failures and widespread bullying and abuse.

The seven-volume report contains 122 recommendations to drive improved health and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel.

Upon the report’s release, Ms Whitfield told the ABC she didn’t want her husband’s death to be in “vain”.

She went on to slam the Department of Veteran Affairs, calling them “useless” and saying they did nothing to help her and her husband.

A spokesperson from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs told news.com.au the government body was “deeply saddened” by Mr Whitfield’s passing and extended condolences as the royal commission hands down its final report.

“We acknowledge the service he provided to our nation,” the spokesperson told news.com.au.

“The death of any veteran is a tragedy and the loss of a current or former Australian Defence Force member is deeply felt by the entire Defence and veteran community.

“DVA provided support to Mr Whitfield over a number of years. DVA supports vulnerable veterans with one-on-one case management support. A specialised officer is allocated to a veteran and their family in order to support them to access any support they may need from the Department. This includes escalation and prioritisation of the needs of vulnerable veterans or those deemed to be at risk.

“Additionally, veterans with one-day of full time military service can access free mental health care for life, with no need for the condition to be linked to their service.”

For veteran’s in need, please contact:

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling offer free and confidential counselling to current ADF members, veterans and their families 24/7 on 1800 011 046.

SafeZone is an anonymous and confidential service provided by counsellors with an understanding of the military culture and experience. Both current members of the ADF and veterans can access Safe Zone Support, any time, day or night on 1800 142 072.

Originally published as Haunting video from Australian veteran before his death