September 24th 2024.
It is with great sadness that recent data has shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by Australian veterans. Despite efforts to address the issue, suicide continues to be the leading cause of death for younger ex-service individuals. This somber truth has been revealed in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's latest report, released this morning. The report, now in its seventh year, reveals that between 1997 and 2022, 42% of deaths for ex-serving males and 44% for ex-serving females under the age of 30 were due to suicide.
In total, there were 1763 deaths by suicide among veterans during this time period. The majority of these deaths occurred among ex-serving members, with permanent members and reserves following closely behind. The suicide rates for the most recent three-year period (2020-2022) were 27.6 for ex-serving males, 18.5 for permanent males, 13.4 for reserve males, and 12.6 for ex-serving females. While there has been a slight decrease in the suicide rate for ex-serving males since 2014, the AIHW warns that these numbers may change as more recent data becomes available.
It is worth noting that, similar to previous years, the suicide rate for ex-serving males who voluntarily left the Australian Defense Force (ADF) was similar to that of Australian males in general. However, for ex-serving males who were involuntarily separated for medical reasons, the suicide rate was nearly three times higher. The same trend was not observed for ex-serving females, with no significant difference between those who separated involuntarily for medical reasons and those who separated voluntarily.
The AIHW's spokesperson, Paul Pham, expressed deep concern over the loss of life to suicide and the impact it has on loved ones and the broader defense and veteran community. He emphasized the importance of this ongoing study in informing suicide prevention and awareness for ADF personnel and their families.
On September 9th, the Royal Commission into Defense and Veteran Suicide released its final report after a three-year inquiry. The report, spanning over 3000 pages across seven volumes, contains 122 recommendations based on evidence, commentary, and findings. Pham stated that the AIHW is committed to playing its part in the government's response to this report.
For those in need of support, there are resources available. Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) offer assistance to anyone seeking help. Current or former ADF members and their families can also reach out to the Defense All-Hours Support Line (1800 628 036) or Open Arms (1800 011 046) for counseling and support. The losses to suicide are tragic and far-reaching, but with continued efforts and awareness, we hope to see a decrease in these numbers and provide better support for those who have served our country.
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