iscover
The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission was launched on Monday to provide recommendations and conduct enquiries into suicide rates among serving and former Australian Defence Force personnel.
The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission (DVSC) launched on Monday as an actionable response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide which was founded in 2021.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said the DVSC was the most “important recommendation” from the royal commission and stressed the significance of its necessity in supporting the mental health of current and ex-defence personnel.
“Now, veterans and their families have a powerful champion in their corner with a sole focus on fixing what has been a broken system.”
“The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission has a singular focus – to drive the reforms that, guided by the best evidence, will lower suicides and suicidality among current and ex-serving ADF members,” he said.
The DVSC will work independently alongside the federal government and have a primary role of providing evidence and oversight to ensure accountability of the government’s response to the royal commission’s recommendations. The DVSC will also conduct independent inquiries to improve suicide prevention and support positive mental health and wellbeing for ADF members.
In a statement, acting commissioner Penny McKay said the suicide rates of ADF members is a “national tragedy”.
“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide spent three years exploring why and made 122 recommendations aimed at changing things for the better to ensure our sailors, soldiers and aviators receive the protection and support they both need and deserve.
“The DVSC looks forward to engaging with everyone who shares our vision of real and sustained positive change for our serving and ex-serving ADF members and their families.”
McKay said that due to the widespread nature of the issue, no decisions will be made on individual cases, rather having a “focus on system-wide oversight, accountability, and driving change”.
An annual report of serving and ex-serving ADF members released at the start of the month found that the highest rate of suicide in ADF personnel was in ex-serving men at 30.9 percent, and ex-serving women at 14.8 per cent.
Serving and former ADF personnel and their families in need of support can contact Open Arms for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 1800 011 046 or visit www.openarms.gov.au, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 or by visiting www.lifeline.org.au.
