‘No delay’ for response on veterans suicide report
Veterans and their families won't have to wait for a lengthy response following a royal commission, the prime minister has promised.
suicide
Promise to improve wellbeing to prevent suicide scourge
Additional prevention measures and support for people at risk of suicide form part of a sweeping draft strategy aimed at eradicating the scourge.
‘Unacceptable’: veteran suicide inquiry demands changes
Defence personnel need greater support to transition from military service to civilian life and access ongoing assistance, a royal commission recommends.
Premier likens veteran help to taking out bad insurance
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is calling for a nationally consistent approach to supporting veterans as individuals face major barriers to getting help.
Indigenous focus in milestone suicide prevention plan
Australia's first legislated plan to prevent suicide includes a focus on reducing risk among Indigenous communities.
Time ticking for submissions to Defence suicide inquiry
Veterans and their families have been urged not to miss the looming deadline for submissions to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Young leaders at the front line of ending youth suicide
Peer support mental health service Youth Insearch is campaigning to end youth suicide, remembering the 402 young Australians who took their own lives in 2021.
Back to battle for ex soldier seeking help
A former soldier has told an inquiry her efforts to get support from veterans' affairs felt like she never left the battlefield.
Ecstasy for ex-soldier to help ease trauma
Ex-soldier James Geercke has described how military training left him with lasting physical and mental injuries, with little support from Veterans Affairs.
Study identifies youth self-harm clusters
The Australian Youth Self-Harm Atlas has identified worrying clusters and how triggering factors vary in each region and state.
Veterans commission shifts focus to Darwin
Life at the Northern Territory's strategically significant military bases will be a new focus of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Recruit standards linked to risks in ranks
Lowered entry standards for military recruits have been linked to increased rates of physical and mental health issues among defence personnel.
Urgent action for veterans focus of report
A Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is due to deliver its much-anticipated interim report after months of confronting evidence.
Jacqui Lambie to speak at veterans inquiry
Long-term veterans advocate and senator, Jacqui Lambie, will on Friday give evidence at a royal commission examining suicide among ex-service personnel.
ADF ‘must target Indigenous mental health’
Mental health support for First Nations personnel can be improved through targeted mechanisms, the veterans royal commission has been told.
Inquiry told of need for ‘circuit breaker’
The former chair of a taskforce addressing abuse response within the ADF says a "circuit breaker" is needed to fix the closed nature of Defence.
ADF members betrayed by abuse: inquiry
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been told ADF members felt betrayed by abuse within the ranks after enlisting.
Inquiry told of Lavarack behaviour issues
The veterans inquiry has been told behavioural issues still exist at Townsville's Lavarack barracks, despite improvements in how the ADF deals with complaints.
ADF considering ways to fill service gaps
The veteran suicide inquiry has been shown figures indicating there is a growing trend of more service people leaving the Australian Defence Force.
Veterans ‘failed’ by govt, commission told
Ex-veteran affairs minister Darren Chester has faced a royal commission and been questioned about outstanding reforms during his tenure.
‘Zero’ budget funds to fix compo delays
Former minister Andrew Gee says he was disappointed the Morrison government had failed to recognise veterans' welfare as a national priority.
Anger at targeting of unwell soldiers
An army commander says action should be taken against soldiers who target mentally or physically unwell colleagues, adding you "can't mitigate stupidity".
DVA failing veterans, secretary admits
The head of Veterans' Affairs has been frank about the department's failings, telling an inquiry it's not delivering for past and present defence members.
Paperwork delays hitting veterans’ cases
An inquiry into defence and veteran suicides has been told of the delays in claims for assistance from agencies including the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Chronic shortage of psychiatrists for vets
Poor pay and the challenging work mean many psychiatrists are reluctant to take on the demands of treating mentally ill veterans, an inquiry has been told.
Compo system ‘unintelligible’ to veterans
The royal commission has been told lawyers have to navigate a confusing maze of different legislation to make compensation claims for injured veterans.
Children of those who suicide take blame
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been told children of those who suicide often blame themselves and feel abandoned.
Ex sailor shares story of bullying, abuse
The Australian public would be "absolutely horrified" by the victimisation of a former navy sailor, a royal commission has been told.
Lifeline gets $52 million funding boost
Prime Minister has Scott Morrison announced more than $52 million in funding for Lifeline's suicide hotline to stem the loss of 3000 Australians every year.
‘No one else involved’ in Qld dam deaths
Queensland police say a post mortem analysis of two bodies found chained together in a dam shows their deaths were not suspicious.
Ex-soldiers ‘overwhelmed’ by compo process
An overly complex compensation claims process at the Department of Veterans Affairs could be contributing to some ADF veterans taking their lives.