NEW FRAMEWORK FOR VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide called for new approaches to reducing the unacceptable rates of suicide among our veterans.
Today, the Albanese Government is announcing a first-of-its kind Suicide Prevention Framework to help veterans experiencing crisis access consistent, military-aware support wherever, and whenever, they seek help.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs, suicide prevention organisations, medical professionals and other support bodies each have unique strengths in how they provide support to veterans and their families.
The Framework will be a single source of best-practice support available to mainstream and veteran-specific suicide prevention services to ensure there is no wrong door for veterans and their families to go through when accessing help.
The Framework is the result of extensive consultation with veterans, bereaved families, carers, health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention organisations and Defence.
Defence service is unique in nature, and the Framework presents a military and veteran-informed, trauma-driven structure focused on three goals: the prevention of the onset of suicidal behaviour, crisis intervention and postvention care.
Aligning with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035, the Framework is a resource for a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to veteran suicide reduction.
The Framework responds directly to Royal Commission Recommendations 76 and 77, supporting the improvement of postvention supports within the Defence and veteran community.
