September 9th 2024.
The long-awaited final report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been tabled in parliament, revealing the dire state of mental health and wellbeing among those who have served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Among its 122 recommendations for sweeping change, the report calls for a new agency to focus solely on the wellbeing of veterans. This highlights the glaring lack of support and resources within the current Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The statistics are shocking – between 1997 and 2021, 1677 defence personnel have died by suicide, averaging out to more than one per week. To put this in perspective, it is 20 times the number of casualties from combat. These figures are a stark reminder that not enough is being done to address the root causes of mental health issues within the ADF.
One of the major findings in the report is the prevalence of sexual assault within the defence force, with women being the majority of victims and men being the majority of perpetrators. The commissioners expressed concern over the fact that the ADF does not have a reliable dataset for sexual misconduct, making it difficult to accurately quantify the issue and measure the effectiveness of policies aimed at preventing it.
The report also shed light on the failure of leadership within the ADF and the sense of betrayal felt by veterans. As one former Air Force member stated, it is a harsh reality for those who have pledged to serve their country to then be disregarded and undervalued when they are injured or struggling with mental health issues.
Commissioner Nick Kaldas, who chaired the three-year inquiry, pointed out that these problems were not new, but rather have been neglected for far too long. He emphasized the need for an entity with enough power and resources to effectively tackle these issues.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed to thoroughly considering all of the recommendations in the report and expressed gratitude to those who shared their stories and experiences, no matter how difficult it may have been. He reminded us that it is our promise as a nation to remember and honor our fallen soldiers, and to provide the necessary support and services for all who have served.
This report is a reminder that there is still much work to be done to support our current and former ADF members. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources available such as the Defence All-Hours Support Line and Open Arms. And for those seeking support, organizations like Lifeline and Beyond Blue are there to help. Let's come together as a community to fulfill our promise to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
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