The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has launched a public consultation program to shape its Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and National Action Plan.
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester said he wanted to hear from veterans and their families, listen to their views, their experiences and consider their solutions to promote positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
“People will be able to have their say and contribute to this important topic through an online survey or by providing a written submission, ensuring collectively that we are all doing what we can to support our veterans and their families,” Mr Chester said.
“One of the initiatives I have been working on is providing assistance dogs to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder — the first time the Federal Government has provided financial backing to a trial of this nature.”
He said more than $230 million a year had been allocated to supporting the mental health of veterans out of a broader budget of more than $11 billion.
“To help everyone provide informed feedback for the online survey, an environmental scan of mental health reform in Australia has also been published, which highlights developments in mental health policy across Australia over the past six years,” Mr Chester said.
Access to the 87-page environmental scan, the online survey and instructions for lodging a submission is available at this PS News link.
Mr Chester said DVA’s online wellbeing portal ‘AT-Ease.dva.gov.au’ also provided veterans and their families with information, resources and links to services for support with mental health and wellbeing.
