Silent Suffering: Urgent call to address crisis in veterans’ mental and physical health

The mental health statistics for veterans who served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are deeply concerning. Individuals with past ADF service were approximately twice as likely (21%) to experience an anxiety-related disorder compared to those without any military service history (11%). Helping to combat these issues, Veteran Benefits Australia are helping veterans to prioritise their mental and physical health by streamlining their compensation claims and connecting them with allied health professionals. The ADF Transition and Wellbeing research study identified 29% of transitioned members expressed feelings that life wasn’t worth living. This situation becomes even more distressing when we consider suicide rates among serving and ex-serving ADF members. Sadly, the suicide rate among ex-ADF members stands at a worrying 30 per 100,000. This rate starkly contrasts with the general male population’s rate of 18 per 100,000. The consequences of each suicide extend deeply and broadly. It’s estimated that over 10 million Australian adults know someone who has died by suicide.5 The defence and veteran community comprise of a significant proportion of this distressing statistic. Insights from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report highlight the importance of elements such as a sense of purpose, gainful employment, social belonging, and good health in improving life quality and reducing suicide rates. However, the veterans’ journey through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims system often presents significant challenges. The system has been criticised by the Royal Commission because of complex navigation, due to underlying legislation and administrative hurdles, coupled with extended waiting periods for claim decisions, often adding to the veterans’ stress. Thomas Bailey, Founder of Veteran Benefits Australia, has observed these systemic hurdles and is determined to make a difference. Through VBA, he has built a path that helps alleviate some of the stressors and ensure veterans receive the care they are entitled to. “I’ve seen the challenges our veterans face on a daily basis. From navigating complex systems to waiting extended periods for claims decisions, it’s a struggle they shouldn’t have to bear. VBA is committed to alleviating these stressors. We simplify the process and ensure that our veterans get the timely care they rightly deserve,” he says. Someone who knows this all too well is Infantry Veteran, Brodie Moore, who after experiencing the difficulty of navigating multiple compensation claims through the DVA, joined the VBA patient care team as a nurse. “I know first-hand how confusing and time costly the process of filing claims for support can be… especially if there are multiple of them. VBA’s mission is to improve veterans lives through getting them the healthcare support they need or if they aren’t eligible for that support – then getting them eligibility. This process is made especially easier when veterans are speaking to people with lived experience, such as myself. I’m passionate about this mission as I have suffered with my own health issues because of my service. I’ve also sadly seen many of my mates from the Army suffer and some have lost this battle and taken their own life,” he says. In line with Men’s Health Week, Veteran Benefits Australia are working to assist veterans prioritise their health by streamlining their compensation claims and getting them access to the support they’re eligible for. For more information, veterans can visit www.veteranbenefitsaustralia.com. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]