Veteran pens last letter to Department of Veterans Affairs before taking own life
Gold Coast-based former ADF soldier Shaun Spain’s suicide has sent more shockwaves through the war veteran community in a way many hope will lead to change to save others.
The suicide death of a former Victorian soldier whose final words blamed the Department of Veterans Affairs had sparked a sense of hopelessness in the national veteran community, the royal commission probing the national tragedy of former and currently military deaths has conceded.
Former Victorian-born former Army corporal turned Gold Coast real estate agent Shaun Spain left a note before he took his own life earlier this year in which he blamed DVA’s treatment of him and others as prompting his action.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide said it was saddened by the case “which touched the hearts of many” it said in a statement today.
“We’ve been hearing about a sense of hopelessness and despair in the veteran community following this event,” the commission said in an open letter.
“It’s important that we acknowledge the immense pain left when someone takes their life – for family, friends, the Defence and veteran communities.”
It acknowledged the sense of loss might cause some to wonder what could possibly be achieved by the commission as it assured it would bring long-lasting cultural and systemic change.
TRAGIC AUSSIE SOLDIER’S LAST LETTER REVEALED
The typed letter from Shaun Spain is as emotional as it is pointed.
“I am sorry you have found me this way but unfortunately I have taken my own life for many reasons and DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) are mostly to blame,” the decorated army veteran wrote.
His funeral was held on the Gold Coast.
The letter is another tragic indictment on the DVA’s treatment of the nation’s veterans.
The Federal Government has already conceded the suicide rate among veterans is a “national tragedy”.
More than 1600 serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel have died by suicide since 1997 and Mr Spain’s death is the second in as many months of a high profile veteran since the suicide of prominent Gold Coast solicitor Dave Garratt in December.
While the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has already made sweeping recommendations to how the DVA needs to operate including its handling of claims, its final report will not be completed until next year.
Mr Spain’s citing of the department for his death was the end of a long battle that he hoped would bring justice for thousands of veterans struggling to transition to civilian life.
Former Corporal Spain, a popular Gold Coast real estate agent, retired medically unfit in 2014 after 15 years of service including five tours to Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor.
He struggled with multiple injuries including to his back, shoulders, knees and hip.
But his scars from service were also mental, including PTSD.
Despite having established a successful realty he struggled to get ready access to DVA entitlements.
He had to dip into his super to pay for the dozens of operations he needed from his war service injuries, with delays of his DVA compensation claims.
According to his family, the 51-year-old – who grew up on a farm in Broadford in central Victoria – worried about other veterans and was always looking for opportunities to champion their cause and make change.
Even after death he hoped his words would create change.
His note said he was taking his own life for other veterans, fearing DVA’s processes were not going far enough to incentivise employers to hire ex-ADF personnel, and the ongoing Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was “all talk no action”.
“It psychologically just drained him I feel; he was gutted in the end,” his twin brother Brandon Spain said.
“(DVA) just need to change the system, it is too old and needs to be brought into the 21st century. I feel right now with what’s happened to Shaun as he wrote in that letter what he could not accomplish in life, he wanted to accomplish with his death. That’s not cool, no-one should have to sacrifice themselves in the hope of change. We need change and to save lives, no-one needs to go down this track.”
He said while his brother had been receiving DVA benefits, claims took too long and his injuries and operations were overwhelming.
Shaun’s letter said he had been “fighting constantly with DVA”, his pension was “useless” and “leaves me nothing,” and he had recently learnt DVA were “not paying providers enough” so many of them “will start to turn away new DVA clients”.
“Life is … bloody hard and I have to say today I have had enough,” he wrote.
Ian Grace, a corporate business trainer and close friend of Shaun, has been advocating for eight years for returned veterans to be offered a pathway into business ownership instead of being told just to go out and get a job.
Together with Shaun they last year put together videos and a plan for DVA to provide tools, training and opportunity to run their own business.
But Mr Grace said they received no response and were turned down for a meeting with Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh.
“This is a double hit from the DVA. Veterans should be treated as elite platinum frequent flyers; instead they are treated like cargo,” Mr Grace said.
Mr Keogh said he was saddened by the death.
“The death of any veteran is an absolute tragedy, with the loss of a veteran felt deeply by the entire defence and veteran community,” Mr Keogh said.
“I’m deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Mr Shaun Spain. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and I understand the Department of Veterans Affairs have been providing support.”
A spokeswoman for DVA added it had an extensive history of engagement with Mr Grace relating to his ideas around veteran employment and appreciated his support.
Any veteran who might be struggling should contact:
Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling: 1800 011 046
Alternatively:
SANE: 1800 18 72 63
Lifeline: 131 114
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
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