Accessing mental health support and staying connected

This page will cover details on how DVA can support your mental health as well as what services are available to you, and how you can access these services.

Nominating a representative

You may choose to authorise someone to be your nominated representative when dealing with us. A nominated representative can be a partner, adult relative, trustee, agent, legal representative or organisation. You can set up a nominated representative using MyService or by completing this form - Appointing a third party to represent a DVA client. For more information visit the nominated representative webpage.

Please note that this form only authorises representation with DVA. Other government departments or services may require you to create other arrangements. Information on representation arrangements for other departments can be found on the Help accessing aged care services page.

Behaviour support plans

A behaviour support plan can form part of your care plan you develop with your aged care home. The aim of a behaviour support plan is to improve the quality of care provided by your care team by reducing and potentially ending the use of restrictive practices in aged care. Effective behaviour support planning is built on an understanding of you and your unique experiences and your changing needs.

The plan sets out information for your care team, so they understand your background, any assessments you have had, your behaviours, changes that have occurred in your behaviour, triggers or causes which happen before certain types of behaviour. The plan also details some approaches your care team can take when these behaviours happen.

You or your decision maker must consent to the approaches in the plan.

To find out more about behaviour support plans visit the Behaviour Support Plans webpage or call Dementia Support Australia on their 24/7 helpline 1800 699 799.

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling is a free and confidential 24/7, nation-wide counselling and mental health support to eligible serving and ex-serving members, and their families.

Visit the website openarms.gov.au or call 1800 011 046 to access information, self-help tools, mobile apps, and advice about how to seek professional help.

Note: Open Arms is unable to support people with dementia or other forms of cognitive decline.

Non-Liability Health Care

If you have completed at least one day of continuous full-time service in the ADF you can access mental health treatment fully funded by DVA under Non-Liability Health Care. It doesn’t matter when you served, how long you served, or the nature of your service. This mental health treatment is also available to reserve members who have rendered border protection or disaster relief service, or who were involved in a serious service-related training accident.

For more information you can visit the Non-liability mental health care webpage. To check if you are eligible phone 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or email nlhc@dva.gov.au.

GP referral

If you are not eligible for Non-Liability Health Care, a GP may provide treatment or refer you to a Medicare-subsidised psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health social worker or mental health occupational therapist.

Other support services

Lifeline Australia

Provides free support services if you are in crisis and need to talk to someone. Call 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline Australia webpage.

1800 RESPECT

Provides 24-hour counselling services to help you cope with sexual assault or violence. Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800RESPECT webpage.

Medicare Mental Health

Medicare Mental Health provides resources and links to a variety of websites and apps to support mental health and wellbeing. Call 1800 595 212 or visit the Medicare Mental Health webpage.

Ex-service organisations

Connect with an ESO in your local area. These organisations may be able to provide you with support and resources. Find out more information by visiting the What is an ex-service organisation? webpage.

Relationships Australia

Offers a broad range of services to individuals, families and communities across the country such as counselling, mediation, and family dispute resolution. Contact your state-based Relationships Australia service. Call 1300 364 277 or visit the Relationships Australia webpage.

Staying connected

Moving into an aged care home can be a challenging time for you and your family. There may be times when you may feel anxious, sad or angry. You may be troubled by memories, not sleeping well or having difficulties relating to other residents, your carers, support staff or family and friends. It is normal to have these feelings, or to experience problems after stressful events or during stressful periods in your life. There are benefits to you managing your mental health if you notice an issue or any changes in your feelings or behaviour.

Connecting to the veteran community

Staying connected is very important and keeping friendships or connections to family and community can be difficult when you move into an aged care home. The following are available to you, if you need them.

Ex-service organisations

As a member of the veteran community, you may invite representatives from an ESO to visit you in your aged care home. The home staff should be able to help you, or your family get in touch with your local ESO. You will need to give the person making contact permission to give out your personal details as they cannot provide them to the ESO without your permission. Alternatively, your family or friends can contact a local ESO and make the necessary arrangements. For more information you can visit the What is an ex-service organisation? webpage or call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

Aged Care Volunteers Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) can match a volunteer visitor to you to provide friendship and companionship. If you are living in government-funded residential aged care and feeling lonely or socially isolated, you can request a volunteer visitor to visit regularly. Family, friends, and aged care or health professionals can also refer you to the program with your consent.

For more information or to request a volunteer visitor, go to the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) webpage.

Recreational Transport Allowance

If you have a specific severe disability accepted as service-related you may be able to receive the Recreational Transport Allowance. This provides financial assistance for your transport to recreational activities. The rate payable is determined by your accepted disabilities. For more information you can visit the Recreation Transport Allowance webpage or call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

Engage

Engage is an online portal for current, transitioning, and former ADF members; their families, and/or those involved in their support can use to help locate support services. Engage simplifies the process of accessing support by providing information on not-for-profit services available from a range of service providers. For more information go to the Home | Engage webpage or call the All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036.

Veteran news subscription

Vetaffairs

Vetaffairs is DVA’s official newspaper for Australia’s veteran community. It is provided free as either a printed or digital version and is published three times a year.

To view the latest edition, you can visit the Latest news webpage.

To register for a subscription visit the Vetaffairs and e-news subscriptions webpage and complete the digital form or email vetaffairs@dva.gov.au to nominate your preferred version (printed or digital), the name of the aged care home, the number of copies you require and your postal address/ email address for delivery.

You can unsubscribe at any time by emailing vetaffairs@dva.gov.au with your name and address and publication you wish to unsubscribe to or by calling 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

DVA News

DVA’s e-News is an electronic newsletter emailed to subscribers. It is published at the beginning of every month and comprises articles published on the latest news for veterans webpage on the DVA website.

Subscribe to DVA e-News by visiting the VetAffairs and e-news subscriptions webpage or by calling 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

You can unsubscribe at any time by emailing vetaffairs@dva.gov.au with your name and address and publication you wish to unsubscribe from.

Anzac Portal

The Anzac Portal acknowledges and remembers those who have served Australia. This monthly newsletter is for those passionate about Australia’s military history.

Subscribe to the newsletter by visiting the Anzac Portal email newsletter webpage or by calling 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

Social Media

You can also follow us on social media: /about/contact-us. 

Defence newspapers

Defence newspapers: Navy News, Army News and Air Force News are published fortnightly for the information of ADF members.

Print copies can be posted to all former ADF members, families of current members, Defence welfare organisations and those with an interest in Defence.

For digital versions and to subscribe visit the Defence newspapers webpage.

Help accessing aged care services

It’s no secret aged care can be confusing and it’s often difficult know where to start. You don’t have to do it alone. There are many services available through the government as well as independent services that can support you on your aged care journey.

The Help Accessing Aged Care Services page provides information on available support. There are also further support services to help you understand and navigate aged care. You can explore these options by visiting the Getting support in aged care webpage on the My Aged Care website.

Other pages we think may interest you

• Aged care resources
• Supporting you in aged care
• Accessing DVA supports and services in aged care
• Carer support
• Raising an aged care concern
• The new Aged Care Act
• Understanding residential aged care costs
• Residential aged care means testing