Findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to be released

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

In 2021 the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established to explore systemic issues and risk factors relevant to suicide and suicide behaviours of serving and ex-serving Defence members. The Royal Commission is due to hand its final report and findings to the Government on 9 September 2024.

Supporting the final report is Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing, a book capturing the lived experience of ex-Australian Defence Personnel and highlights the complex cultural and systemic issues, which are failing past and present service personnel and their families. The book also highlights the resilience, recovery and growth of Australian Defence Personnel. Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing was presented Governor-General, His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) on 20 June 2024, and supports understanding of the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Webinar: Lessons learnt from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

As part of an update into the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Suicide Prevention Australia and Mental Health Australia are hosting a webinar, ‘Overcoming the Sliding Doors of Stigma: Lessons learnt from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide' on 22 August 2024.

This webinar will explore insights gained from the Royal Commission into what assists in reducing stigma and increasing access and support for Australian Defence personnel and veterans.

Webinar attendees will hear from Dr Peggy Brown AO - one of three appointed Commissioners to discuss systemic issues contributing to suicide and suicidal behaviours by serving and ex-serving Defence members.

To learn more and register, please visit: https://bit.ly/4cu844a

Mindframe training to support the veteran community

To support safe communications about the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Everymind in partnership with the Department of Veterans' Affairs is hosting free online Mindframe training for veterans and their families and friends.

Aim of the training is to provide communication guidance to reduce stigma and distress in discussions that may occur following the release of the report, particularly if members of the veteran community are making statements in public settings/to media or posting on social media.

The training session will be held 1:00 - 2:00pm AEST Wednesday, 28 August. Learn more and register your interest here.

Recent Australian Defence Force data release

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released data on characteristics of ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members hospitalised for suicidality and intentional self-harm.

Created in collaboration with the Departments of Veterans' Affairs and Defence, this first of its kind data set links the Defence and health data of ex-serving ADF members who accessed hospital services between 2010 and 2020.

Compared to the general population, a higher proportion of ex-serving male and female ADF members were admitted to hospitals for, mental health concerns, alcohol and other drug use, and intentional self-harm.

A translation of the key findings is available from the Life in Mind portal here.