*Warning: This article contains references to mental health, suicide and defence force trauma.
AN AVERAGE of 78 serving or ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members have died by suicide each year for the past 10 years.
An average of three deaths every fortnight.
According to the final report by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, ‘males serving in combat and security roles are twice as likely to die by suicide than Australian employed males.’
The report is long, includes 122 recommendations and is black and white. Action is needed.
The first of which, ‘Improve the capacity of future royal commissions to undertake their inquiries.’
This first point does not go unnoticed by Veterans and Inverloch RSL personnel President Ross Gabb, Secretary Lindsay Guerin, Vice President-Welfare Julie de Bondt and Rod Gallager.
“It sits on its own. A recommendation from the Royal Commission to change the Royal Commission Act to enforce the release of documentation. The Department of Defence fought this all the way,” Mr Gallager stated.
The report is damning, but not unexpected.
Each Veteran knows of at least one service member who has taken their own life, and staggeringly “the 80-year-old is a growth area in suicide.”
As stated in ‘Shining A Light – Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing’, released during the Royal Commission inquiry, ‘During Australia’s longest war – the more than 20 years spent in Afghanistan – we lost 41 soldiers killed in action. Sadly, we now know that we lost to suicide at least 1677 serving and ex-serving members between 1997 and 2021.’
As highlighted by a current serving member, ‘I have seen people leave Defence and spiral out of control because they couldn’t cope. A lot of colleagues who got out in the last twelve months have echoed my situation that the process is broken and they were left not knowing if they were supported.’
This statement echoes those of Inverloch RSL.
The number one most important recommendation from the Royal Commission for the Veterans speaking up at Inverloch RSL is the need for a transitional department.
“Transition and support for families is key. Transition out of intuitionalism and back to civilian life. That is very, very difficult. It’s very hard to settle.”
Whilst acknowledging that around ninety per cent of veterans have a very satisfying career, the quartet remains committed that the transition must be a priority and actioned immediately.
“It needs to be totally independent. Not tied to the ADF or Department of Veterans Affairs, and has to be set up correctly” that includes experts with their own lived experience within the defence force or exceptional training that includes time spent on base, they explained.
The entity would support veterans and their families from institution to civilian life. Whether that be highlighting new jobs within the defence force (thus assisting with defence retention) or assisting with job seeking outside of the force; assistance with finance management – including the application of veteran pensions and compensation; mental health support with those medically trained in defence force trauma/life; and guiding veterans to local support services, events and activities to re-integrate into community.
“I went through 10 jobs in 12 months when I returned,” Mr Gabb stated, an example himself of the challenges veterans face re-integrating into the workforce.
‘Leaving the Defence Force, besides changing a person’s lifestyle, is very traumatic. During many years of service, a bond is formed with fellow members equivalent to having a family of close-knit kin. Although [this is] not always appreciated, leaving is like a husband losing his entire family in a car accident (Shining A Light, pg 102).’
“The best advice I ever gave a young veteran, who did two tours of Afghanistan (when I was an advocate),” Mr Gallagher explained, “and he came to me and said, ‘I want to get out’. I asked,
‘What are you going to do?’ He didn’t know. I said, stay and get a posting as an engineer. He trained as a desal mechanic and is still in the service.”
The Royal Commission’s report highlighting ‘When members separate from the ADF, for any reason, it puts pressure on recruitment. Defence told us that a one per cent increase in separation can require up to a five per cent increase in recruitment to compensate.’ Defence has said that: retaining high-quality experienced staff is as important as attracting new talent…’
For others though, staying is not an option, and years of conditional training and instantaneous actions cannot be undone by walking out the gates.
“The transition needs to start 12 months before a service member leaves,” Mr Gabb said.
“We’re here to talk about what we can do. Of the 122 recommendations, I would estimate that probably 10 the RSL could play a part in,” Mr Guerin added.
“The public perception has continued for a number of years that we are a ‘group of old guys’. You don’t need to be an RSL member to get help. Any young bloke/woman, or any veteran who walks in here, the first thing we’re going to ask is, are you alright? What can we do for you?” Mr Guerin explained.
Mr Gallagher adding, “you served your country, you are a mate, member or not.”
Behind the scenes, Inverloch and other local RSLs have supported and continue to support veterans, whether that is assisting with bills through to welfare, with Mr Guerin noting that a recent RSL
Active event saw veterans from Melbourne attend.
And whilst it is hoped action happens immediately to support current service personnel and veterans, the quartet doesn’t want to see it rushed and backfire.
“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has shed light on critical issues affecting the mental health of veterans, however, it cannot go unnoticed that days after the report was released, the Brereton Report was released, the timing is terrible.”
Commissioner, Dr Peggy Brown AO wrote in her preface to Shining a Light, ‘We have heard your voice. With quiet dignity and steely will, you have shone a light on a way forward for the betterment of all. We thank you for your courage and generosity in all you have done.’
For veterans reading this, if you need support or to talk through available supports contact Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Open Arms (1800 011 046) or reach out to your local RSL sub branch (or even one in a nearby town), you might have more in common with ‘that 74 year old bloke (or lass)’ than you think.
Support Services for Veterans and their families
RSL Sub-Branch (To find your local sub-branch visit rslvic.com.au/about-us/sub-branches):
To provide mateship and support to Australia’s veterans and their families, including financial hardship, assistance with DVA pensions and advocacy, crisis accommodation, access to employment pathways and transition to civilian life, and combatting social isolation through engagement programs.
RSL Active (rslvic.com.au/veteran-services/community-and-social/rsl-active):
A program to actively support younger veterans, reduce social isolation and promote health and wellbeing. Head into your local RSL to find out what’s on, or where your closest RSL Active is taking place.
RSL Victoria Veteran Support: Veteran Central - rslvic.com.au/veteran-support/veteran-central/Compensation Support/Advocacy – Contact Inverloch RSL (0400 825 386) or Leongatha RSL (5662 2012)
Veterans Employment Program (rslvic.com.au/veteran-support/veterans-employment-program/veterans-employment-program-opportunities)
Financial Welfare (rslvic.com.au/veteran-services/military-compensation-advocacy/financial-welfare)
Soldier On (1300 620 380|soldieron.org.au):
Assists ADF personnel, veterans and their families, with meaningful employment, a sense of purpose and a connection to community.