The aim of this literature review, conducted by Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (ACPMH), was to provide information on gender differences across key mental health topics relevant to military personnel and veterans. These topics included the type and prevalence of mental health and related problems; treatment‑seeking attitudes and behaviours; treatment preferences; and access to, and barriers to, treatment.
This literature review looked at how military service can shape the risk of social isolation among younger veterans, the factors that increase or reduce that risk, and the impacts on those who care for them.
The Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs commissioned ORIMA Research to conduct a qualitative study on the experiences of self-employed veterans and the impact of self-employment on their wellbeing. The research aimed to inform policy and program improvements to support veteran wellbeing during their transition to civilian employment.
DVA commissioned La Trobe University to investigate literature on best practice in in-home domestic assistance programs in order to provide a contemporary evidence base to inform any future policy and program development aimed at improving DVA domestic assistance service offerings to veterans and families.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs commissioned Abt Associates to undertake an evaluation of the Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program. The evaluation was commissioned as part of a 2020-21 Budget measure which expanded access to the CVC Program for White Card holders with an accepted mental health condition. Findings from the final report will inform future improvements to veteran health care arrangements.
This report will be provided to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for further consideration in the context of the Government’s response to Recommendation 72 of the Royal Consideration into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) commissioned Australian Catholic University (ACU) National Centre for Veterans and Families to determine the number and accessibility of suicide prevention and postvention programs for the Australian veteran community. The project aims to enhance DVA's understanding of the number and location of Australian suicide prevention and postvention programs and the future needs of the veteran community regarding suicide prevention and postvention programs.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs commissioned the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to identify and synthesise existing research on older veterans, and their families’ experiences and needs in aged care. The project was commissioned to inform any future improvements to the way aged care is delivered to veterans and to identify gaps in understanding of the needs of older veterans and their families in aged care settings.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs commissioned Flinders University to undertake research into the experiences of ex-serving Australian Defence Force Personnel in corrective services systems in Australia. The research was conducted between 2021-2023 and includes interviews from incarcerated veterans in three jurisdictions (South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland).
The research report contains interviews and personal experiences about trauma, violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse and may be confronting and disturbing.
DVA commissioned Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) to undertake a rolling Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of emerging and adjunct treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common mental health conditions affecting veterans. The emerging treatments were psychedelic interventions (i.e., ketamine; methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA; lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD; psilocybin; and dimethyltryptamine, DMT, including ayahuasca), medicinal cannabis, d-cycloserine (DCS), stellate ganglion block (SGB), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, including theta-burst stimulation, TBS). The initial REA was delivered in a tranche of seven individual reports in 2022. Four update reports were contracted at 6-monthly intervals to incorporate the most up-to-date information from newly published studies. The goal of the REA was to provide an evidence base to develop a flexible, yet robust, decision-making process that allows DVA to assess emerging treatments for veterans who have not responded to evidence-based treatments.
DVA commissioned Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) to undertake a rolling Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of emerging and adjunct treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common mental health conditions affecting veterans. The emerging treatments were psychedelic interventions (i.e., ketamine; methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA; lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD; psilocybin; and dimethyltryptamine, DMT, including ayahuasca), medicinal cannabis, d-cycloserine (DCS), stellate ganglion block (SGB), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, including theta burst stimulation, TBS). The initial REA was delivered in a tranche of seven individual reports in 2022. Four update reports were contracted at 6-monthly intervals to incorporate the most up-to-date information from newly published studies. The goal of the REA was to provide an evidence base to develop a flexible, yet robust, decision-making process that allows DVA to assess emerging treatments for veterans who have not responded to evidence-based treatments.
