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Annual Reports Contents >> DVA Annual Report >> Outcome 2 >>
Output 2.2—Veterans counselling and special servicesProvide high-quality, integrated services through counselling, community development, rehabilitation and referral for veterans and their family members, especially Vietnam and younger veterans. VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling ServiceThe VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) mission is to improve the quality of life of all veterans, their families and children, through services that promote and maintain health, well-being, independence and community integration. The VVCS provides:
The VVCS strategic planning process includes extensive consultation with the veteran community, the National Advisory Committee, other departmental business areas and State offices. In 2001–02, the VVCS finalised its accreditation process. The service achieved national accreditation, with all State and regional centres meeting the individual requirement for three years accreditation. The service also continued work on the Sons and Daughters project and the national Heart Health program, implemented as part of the response to the Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study (see page 78). Centre-based counselling: VVCS staff provided 31 353 sessions of counselling to veterans and their families in metropolitan and regional Australia. Case management: The VVCS continued to be an integral part of the ongoing care provided to veterans who participated in the hospital-based PTSD treatment programs. It provided referral to those programs, ongoing counselling and case management where appropriate, as well as an extensive number of follow-up group programs. Outreach program: A total of 31 603 sessions of counselling was provided in outer metropolitan and rural and remote areas by more than 350 contract counsellors, who are required by the VVCS to meet strict professional standards. Group programs: More than 1000 group program services were conducted. These programs include a significant component of the Government’s response to the findings of the Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study. All VVCS centres conducted group programs for women or partners and children of veterans. These programs are designed to address the high level of psychological distress that Vietnam veterans reported in the health study as affecting their families. The women’s programs are designed to promote coping and communication skills as well as an understanding of war-related stress. The programs for sons and daughters of veterans are designed to promote similar understanding and skills, with a particular emphasis on the development of coping skills. In addition to these programs, the VVCS continued to conduct its very successful residential lifestyle programs in all States. These are offered to veterans and their partners, with participants gaining skills in anger/stress management, interpersonal communication, cognitive restructuring and relationships. Formal evaluations, anecdotal reports and word-of-mouth referrals from previous participants indicate the ongoing value of these programs. After-hours crisis telephone counselling service: Veterans Line responded to 6562 calls seeking after-hours crisis counselling or information. Partnerships, community education and liaison: The VVCS addressed or worked with many ex-service organisations, community services, groups of health professionals and other agencies during the year. Activities included education about veterans’ issues and treatment, group facilitation and guidance for self-help groups in refining goals and strategies and the development of partnerships to provide coordinated services to clients. Services to the Australian Defence Force: The VVCS continued to work with clinical staff from the ADF on developing a more effective response to the psychological needs of peacekeepers and their family members. This effort has been most apparent in the Darwin and Townsville VVCS offices, where peacekeepers are now a significant proportion of the client group. A pilot program providing VVCS counselling on-site at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville commenced in February 2002. This was established in cooperation with the Medical Corps and Psychology Corps at the barracks. Mental health policy and strategic directionsThe veteran community and mental health providers have positively received the policy statement, Towards Better Mental Health for the Veteran Community, released early in 2001. A national action plan has been developed to support implementation of the policy and each State office is progressively developing local action plans in consultation with the veteran community and other stakeholders. National activities that have been initiated this year include:
The Department has also strengthened its role and participation in the National Mental Health Strategy by becoming a member of the National Mental Health Working Group under the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. Younger Veterans Consultative ForumThis forum is convened in recognition that the younger veteran group has special needs that are significantly different from those of the larger veteran community, where the average age is over 75. The forum is attended by representatives of major ESOs, the Department of Defence, the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and DVA staff and is chaired by the Repatriation Commissioner. It meets twice a year and provides a valuable mechanism for regular consultation about issues affecting the younger veteran group and their families, as well as monitoring and advising on progress of research studies and Budget initiatives. During 2001–02, the forum paid particular attention to the health needs of peacekeepers and peacemakers and has recommended an approach based on prevention and early intervention. Vietnam Veterans’ Health StudyThe Government responded to the findings of the health study in the May 2000 Budget with a package of assistance totalling $29.5 million over four years. All of the initiatives outlined in the Budget had been fully implemented or significantly progressed by June 2002. Vietnam Veterans Children Support ProgramThe Vietnam Veterans Children Support Program was established in 2000–01 to assist eligible Vietnam veterans and their families with the cost of medical treatment and the provision of medically necessary aids and appliances for their children. The program is administered by the Department of Health and Ageing. Vietnam veterans’ children are eligible for assistance if they were conceived after the veteran’s start of service in Vietnam and they have medical certification for a condition accepted by the program. The five accepted conditions are spina bifida manifesta, cleft lip, cleft palate, acute myeloid leukaemia and adrenal gland cancer. There are currently 60 children registered for assistance from the program. Assistance covers out-of-pocket expenses for doctor, pharmaceutical and hospital services associated with their accepted medical condition. The program also assists with cleft lip and cleft palate services and the cost of specified medically necessary aids and appliances. In July 2001, the program was extended to provide assistance with respite and home care services, allied health care services and assistance with medically necessary travel and accommodation expenses for those children required to travel long distances to receive treatment. Special assistance was also extended for children with acute myeloid leukaemia or adrenal gland cancer. Sons and Daughters projectThe national Sons and Daughters project was established in response to the findings of the health study indicating an elevated risk of suicide in the children of Vietnam veterans. There has been a strong response to the provision of counselling and psychiatric assessment services. The VVCS has established regional reference groups in all States and suicide awareness workshops have been conducted through Lifeline’s Project ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). The project is provided through a national Sons and Daughters project officer and 11 State project officers. Long Tan Bursary SchemeChildren of Vietnam veterans are receiving educational benefits through the extended access to the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme and/or the provision of a Long Tan Bursary. The Long Tan Bursary was launched on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, 18 August 2001, and is administered by the Australian Vietnam War Veterans’ Trust on behalf of the Department. In April 2002, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs announced the Bursary would be expanded in 2003, with the number of bursaries to be increased from 14 to 30. The expansion will help address potential shortfalls arising from the winding up of the Vietnam Veterans Trust Education Assistance Scheme, which will end in 2002. Men’s Health Peer Education ProjectThe Men’s Health Peer Education Project, a self-help health management program, now has more than 210 trained veteran facilitators. The significant interest from the veteran community suggests that the nine programs per year target will not be sufficient to meet demand and from 2001–02 additional programs will be run as required. A website has been developed with links to other DVA sites as well as links to peak health education organisations such as the Heart Foundation. The National Heart Health programThe pilot heart health program, which promotes cardiac fitness, weight reduction and general physical well-being, has now been implemented nationally. During 2001–02, the VVCS conducted 111 sessions with 1808 participants. The service expects to conduct approximately 116 heart health programs, benefiting an estimated 2009 participants during 2002–2003. Crisis Assistance ProgramThe Crisis Assistance Program was developed in response to an identified need to provide short-term accommodation to Vietnam veterans in situations where family break-up is imminent. A six-month pilot ‘Time Out’ project commenced in June 2002. The pilot is being implemented in every capital city, as well as in other areas with a concentration of Vietnam veterans. The pilot is due to be evaluated in November 2002 with a view to expanding the project nationwide. Education material on ‘how to assist veterans in crisis’ has also been developed specifically for the veteran community. The program has been developed in close cooperation with peak ex-service organisations, which have strongly supported the pilot project. Female Vietnam veteran registerOne of the recommendations outlined in the health study, Volume 2, Female Vietnam Veterans Survey and Community Comparison Outcomes, is the establishment of a female Vietnam veteran register. This register will enable future female health studies to be undertaken. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has been contracted to establish the register, which is expected to be completed by November 2002. Alcohol Management ProjectThe Alcohol Management Project is part of the Government’s response to the Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study and is being conducted within the context of the DVA Mental Health Policy. During the first 12 months, the project team consulted widely, reviewed available literature and research and established partnerships that culminated in the national workshop, Pathways to Care for Veterans with Alcohol and Related Problems, held in November 2001. This workshop and the meeting of the project reference group held in March 2002 confirmed the objectives set by the project team. These are to:
Project strategies designed to achieve the above objectives are being developed and are built on principles of harm reduction, evidence based practice, shared responsibility and partnerships, creating the best fit between client need and intervention. Activities during 2001–02 included:
The Department has established a number of strategic partnerships to achieve the Project’s objectives, including the ACPMH, the Department of Health and Ageing, the ADF, the University of Queensland and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Additional information on the implementation of the Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study initiatives is available from the website at www.dva.gov.au. Mortality studyA repeat mortality study commenced during 2001–02, in line with the recommendations of the Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study released in 1997 (see Outcome 1, page 51). Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental HealthThe mandate of the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health covers the full range of mental health problems in veterans and serving personnel, while retaining a major focus on mental health conditions arising from traumatic war-related experiences. The centre functions within the context of the National Mental Health Plan 1998–2003, the DVA Mental Health Policy Statement and the Australian Defence Force Mental Health Strategy. A Board of Management oversees the work of the centre. The Repatriation Commissioner chairs the Board of Management, which includes members representing DVA, the ADF, the University of Melbourne and the centre. PTSD treatment programs continue to operate in each State and offer a range of treatment options. During 2001–02, 424 veterans, including 32 older veterans, were admitted to these programs. The adoption of a standardised treatment outcome evaluation process allowed for the examination of program effectiveness—the results achieved being as good as, if not better than, similar programs anywhere else in the world. Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation SchemeThe Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) helps veterans to find or continue in paid employment. The scheme’s rehabilitation services are provided through CRS Australia with contracting arrangements current until September 2003. All Australian veterans with qualifying service are eligible for assistance under the VVRS, on the basis of assessed need and the likelihood of obtaining a suitable, sustainable employment outcome. The latter is measured in terms of: securing paid employment; increasing hours of paid work; or maintaining a job which may have been at risk. The VVRS provides a pension safety net for veterans in receipt of the special rate (T&PI), intermediate rate and invalidity service pensions. The scheme is free and participation is voluntary. In 2001–02, 248 veterans applied for VVRS assistance, with 167 commencing a program (slightly lower than 2000–01), with the ratio of commencements to applications down to 67 per cent in 2001–02 from 76 per cent in 2000–01. During the year, 61 veterans accepted into the scheme obtained or retained a job. Sustained employment of more than six months was achieved for 54 veterans, a slightly lower figure than in 2000–01 but higher than that achieved in 1999–2000. During the year, there was a marginal increase in the number of active rehabilitation cases being monitored by CRS Australia (235 on program, of whom 49 are in employment monitoring). In 2001–02, a range of measures was introduced to promote the scheme and review its effectiveness. Specifically, the VVRS Exit Survey was developed and distributed to gauge opinions of participating veterans. A substantial review of marketing activities saw a significant increase in promotional work, including updating of material, identifying key stakeholders and more effectively targeting information to reach the veteran community. A number of publicity elements including feature articles, advertisements, brochures, posters, the DVA website and Frequently Asked Questions were used to present the VVRS message. A VVRS national conference in Canberra in March 2002 provided opportunities for the scheme’s key players to discuss progress, identify issues and examine future directions. In February 2002, a working party chaired by the Repatriation Commissioner, with representation from ESOs, was established to review the scheme and examine ways to improve its promotion and delivery. Key findings of the working party and the VVRS Exit Survey, national conference and marketing strategies will be merged to effectively inform discussion and policy making on the scheme. General findings from these activities have shown that the scheme continues to receive widespread support and is seen as fulfilling an important personal and social developmental objective for veterans.
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