The Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029 and associated Mental Health and Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Actions Plans are jointly managed by the Department of Defence (Defence) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). The Strategy’s vision is that Members of the Defence and Veteran community are empowered and supported for optimal mental health and wellbeing during service or employment, during transition to civilian life and beyond.
The Strategy embraces a life course approach and considers the wellbeing of Defence and veteran personnel as a key contributor to the defence of Australia. This honours the service and dedication of the Defence and veteran community and aligns with best practice frameworks, research and recommendations. This include the Productivity Commission’s A Better Way to Support Veterans inquiry report and the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Defence and DVA are co-designing the action plans under the Strategy for a systemic approach to wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention for the Defence and veteran community. These plans will be underpinned by current initiatives, future needs, research and extensive consultation (including a literature review, lived experience and subject matter experts from various fields).
The Suicide prevention action plan adopts a compassionate, holistic, person-centred, and systems approach to suicide prevention. In addition to early intervention and comprehensive care, it supports suicide prevention opportunities including incorporation of lived experience, and prioritises wellbeing across the Defence and veteran journey.
The Suicide Prevention Action Plan includes prevention, mitigation, intervention and postvention focus areas. This plan targets universal, selected and indicated populations and takes a socio-ecological perspective. It targets systems, communities, interpersonal relationships (including families, command and health providers) and individuals to build prevention and support for every person wherever possible.
The Strategy and Action Plans are aligned to the Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. This framework evaluates contribution of both Action Plans towards the goals of the Strategy.
Defence and DVA will provide insight to the context development and early implementation of the Strategy and Action Plans. This will offer valuable insights for audiences interested in organisational approaches for mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention.