Suicide monitoring report released
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has published its latest report into deaths by suicide of current and former serving ADF members who have served at least one day in the ADF since 1 January 1985.
The Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985 suicide monitoring: 1997 to 2022 report found that there were 1763 certified deaths by suicide between January 1997 and December 2022.
DVA commissioned AIHW to undertake this research to improve our understanding of this complex issue and find ways to better support those in need.
Any veteran or Defence member’s death by suicide is a tragedy which the whole community feels deeply.
The Australian Government is committed to addressing the ongoing impact of service and preventing future deaths by suicide. The reports from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide are critical to understanding and addressing the causes of deaths by suicide.
There are a range of services and supports available to those who need them. All current and former serving members of the ADF who have completed one day of full-time service (and some reservists) are eligible for fully funded mental health treatment through the Non-Liability Health Care program. Proof your condition is related to military service isn’t required to access treatment.
If you’re a veteran, the immediate family member of a veteran or know someone in the veteran community struggling with their mental health, please encourage them to reach out for support:
- Defence personnel can contact their local health centre, the All Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Member and Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.
- Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling Service provides free and confidential mental health support available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for veterans and their immediate families on 1800 011 046.
To read the findings of the report, visit AIHW suicide report