New mental health hotline service

The new Veteran Mental Health GP Assistance Hotline is available for GPs who are treating veterans and is attended by health experts clinically trained in veteran mental health issues. The hotline provides health practitioners with free expert advice on the unique and complex mental health issues that veterans can face.

GPs and health professionals working with complex mental health patients are now be able to access a panel of highly experienced veteran and military mental health specialists, strengthening the ability of professionals to provide appropriate support to veterans in need, particularly in rural and remote areas.

The hotline is immediately available and GPs can access free expert advice on veteran mental health issues by calling 1800 VET777 (1800 838 777).

A General Advice Hotline is also available to any person in Australia who wants to access information and resources on veteran mental health and available treatments.  This hotline recognises the support and assistance that veterans’ families and the ex-service community provide to veterans in need.

The General Advice Hotline can also be accessed by calling 1800 VET777 or through the Phoenix Australia website which also provides links to best practice and professional development resources.

The $1.4 million investment will also establish a Community of Practice (COP) for PTSD Trauma Recovery Program providers. The COP will create a network between PTSD service providers dedicated to the provision of evidence-informed mental health care for veterans.