Support available for Veterans and their families
Recent developments in the ongoing investigation by the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator (OST) may understandably have caused stress and anxiety in the community, including veterans, their families, and those who provide clinical care for them.
DVA is not part of this investigation: our role is to support veterans and their families.
If you know someone in need, please pass on the important message below:
DVA is there to help.
To anyone who is serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), or has served, or is close to a serving or ex-serving member, please remember
- You should be immensely proud of your service, or your loved one’s service, and there is overwhelming respect in the Australian community for your service and sacrifice.
- If you need help, reach out and get the specialist support you need. Support is readily available through DVA and is routinely used by thousands of serving personnel and veterans every year.
- Families, particularly children and teenagers, could also be affected and there is support available for them as well.
- We don’t need to know what happened overseas. We just want to make sure you’re okay. And help you cope with what you are feeling today.
Clinical Resources
For all current ADF members and their families, the Defence all-hours Support Line is a confidential phone and online service and is available on 1800 628 036. Families of serving personnel can also contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.
All current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families can access Open Arms – Veterans Families Counselling. Open Arms is a national mental health service that provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling. It is not part of the Department of Defence. Importantly the Open Arms website provides a range of self-help resources and wellbeing tools. Visit openarms.gov.au or phone 1800 011 046.
In addition, Safe Zone Support is an anonymous counselling service that has been established to support veterans and their families impacted by the IGADF Inquiry. Safe Zone Support is staffed by specialist counsellors who have an understanding of military culture and experience and can be accessed at: openarms.gov.au/safe-zone-support or 1800 142 072. Calls to Safe Zone Support are not recorded. Both current members of the ADF and veterans can access this service any time, day or night.
Family of veterans or service personnel who are concerned about the impact the arrest or the Inquiry may have on a loved one, can call DVA to seek guidance on the support available.
If you are unsure what support is available please contact DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
GP Educational Resources
The April 2023 RACGP Check is focused on Veterans Health topics. This peer reviewed, CPD accredited material is an ideal primer for GP registrars or GPs. A range of complimenting resources will be released throughout 2023 to help GP’s provide clinical care for veterans and their families.
Non Liability Health Care – Mental Health
All veterans with at least one day’s full time service are entitled to mental health treatment without a liability claim. Further details are available on the DVA website.
Veterans Specific DVA Programs
DVA’s Veterans Health Check and Co-ordinated Veterans Care programs provide unique item numbers for in-depth veteran health assessments.
Ex-service and non-government organisations
Ex-service organisations (ESOs) play a vital and complementary role to DVA by providing mateship, advocacy and welfare support. You can find ESOs on the DVA website.
There are also a number of excellent non-service related community organisations available, such as Lifeline (call 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support or visit www.lifeline.org.au)
Media
We ask the media that when reporting on these matters you please provide the Open Arms support details for anyone who could be distressed or need help.