Index

• Wellbeing and Mental Health
• 24 Hour Support
• Dealing with Stress
• Crisis Support - Serous Illness or Injury
• Family or Domestic Violence
• Special Accommodation for Emergencies(SAFE)
• Further Information and Links

Wellbeing and Mental Health

The ADF Mental Health Strategy

 Defence acknowledges that the mental and social areas of our lives are just as important as our physical bodies.

The Australian Defence Force Mental Health Strategy (ADFMHS)  recognises that mental health is not solely related to diagnosable mental disorders, but covers  a broad range of lifestyle, mental wellbeing and job performance factors. The Strategy has a primary focus on prevention and evidence-based treatment to  enhance the quality of life for Defence personnel.

The Strategy involves an educational campaign for ADF personnel, early intervention and preventative strategies, and integrated multi-disciplinary mental health services for the ADF. It promotes programs that improve self-esteem, encourage a positive outlook and a feeling of acceptance and belonging.
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The ADF Mental Health Strategy website contains various resources, fact sheets and mental health contacts.

Regional Mental Health Teams

In all areas of major military establishments Regional Mental Health Teams (RMHTs) have been formed with multi disciplinary service providers.  The RMHTs are made up of:

• Medical officers
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Chaplains
• Nursing officers

There are 23 RMHTs around Australia and two Operational Mental Health Teams for operational requirements. ADF Members and commanders can access these teams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact details for local RMHTs can be accessed by following the links on the Mental Health Strategy website.

Mental Health Agencies and Support

There are a range of mental health service and policy development agencies in the ADF, including the The Defence Force Psycology Organisation ,The Defence Health Service, and the Defence Community Organisation.

Defence Chaplains can also be contacted for support or pastoral care. Chaplains can be contacted through either the Officer of the Day (at Navy bases), the Duty Area Staff Officer (at Army bases), or the duty SECPOL officer (at Air Force bases). Contact numbers and details for all military establishments can be obtained from the DCO 'Welcome to the Area' information booklets by following the links to the relevant area from the Accessing DCO page.

24 Hour Support

If you need support, help, or advice at any time, Defence has resources available for you.

After Hours Emergency Contact

Defence Community Organisation--After Hours Emergency Contact

All requests for emergency DCO assistance outside core business hours and on Public Holidays must be directed to the National Welfare Coordination Centre (NWCC) on 1800 801 026 (if calling from overseas +61 2 9359 4842).

Where necessary, NWCC  will pass a request for assistance to a DCO Duty Officer who will return the call. DCO assistance out of hours will be available in emergency situations only. Any non-emergency cases will be referred for follow-up assistance during normal business hours.

DCO Offices are staffed from 0830 h to 1700 h Monday to Friday

All Hours Support Line

Defence provides the All Hours Support Line as a part of the ADF Mental Health Strategy. This is a confidential telephone triage support service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can call the All Hours Support Line for any mental health or wellbeing advice, including, but not limited to:

• Mental disorders
• Wellbeing and resilience
• Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Suicide prevention
• Grief and loss

FREECALL within Australia 1800 628 036
Outside Australia +61 2 9425 3878.

National Welfare Co-ordination Centre

The NWCC can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 801 026 (FREECALL) or via e-mail at: nwcc.australia@defence.gov.au

Dealing with Stress

Experiencing Stress

Many people encounter stress at different times of their lives. Various aspects of the Defence lifestyle, such as time apart due to deployments, can place unique stresses on both the deploying Defence member and their partner and family.

For Defence members, deployments can be a special challenge. The levels of stress experienced can range from low to very high. Traumatic experiences (for example, experience with death) are not uncommon, and incidents that appear life-threatening may occur.

Events such as these can result in  stress responses which may range from momentary physical reactions such as profuse sweating or trembling, to long term more serious emotional responses such as anxiety and depression. These experiences, as well as prolonged separation from family, may cause frustration and various other stress reactions. Such reactions are normal and are not a sign of weakness.

Crisis Support - Serious Illness or Injury

Defence has a number of important services available for members and their families in time of crisis. The Australian Dangerously Ill Scheme - known as the AUSDIL Scheme - is the provision that sponsors next of kin, relatives, or a nominated person to visit an ADF member hospitalised through serious injury or illness.

AUSDIL provisions are outlined in the policy DI(G) PERS 11-1 - Defence Force Sponsored Visits to Service Members Suffering Serious Illness or Injury - The Australian Dangerously Ill List (Defweb only).

When a person eligible to visit is either elderly, infirm or physically handicapped, or when it is considered necessary by the approving authority for other reasons, that person may be accompanied on the visit by an attendant of their own choosing at public expense.

Number And Duration Of Visits

Normally, only one visit per member or per eligible person may be approved in respect of any one illness or injury. However, this can vary according to circumstances.
For more detailed advice, interpretation or information on the provisions of this Instruction, consult the Military Support Officer in the local DCO Area Team.

Family or Domestic Violence

Family or Domestic Vilolence is a situation where one partner in a relationship is using violent or abusive behaviours to control the other. While violence in any form is unacceptable, violence in the domestic environment is especially damaging as it breaks the bonds of trust that normally exist between partners in a family relationship.

If you are in an abusive situation, seek help. There are many avenues to seek support and staff at your local DCO Area Office can help you access appropriate help and support.

For more detailed information on Family or Domestic violence see the Family Violence page on the Directorate of Mental Health website.

Support Services and Contact Details

Violence Against Women Specialist Unit
National Help Line
Freecall: 1800 200 526

Women's Information and Referral Service
Freecall: 1800 817 227

Family Separation

The Department of Human Services has launched a new tool to help separated families navigate the Family Law System.

www.familyseparation.humanservices.gov.au

Emergency services

These services provide immediate help, information and/or referral.

Police
Phone: 000

Child Protection and Family Crisis Service
Freecall: 1800 06 67 77 (24 hours)

Domestic Violence Line (Department of Community Service)
Phone: 1800 65 64 63 (24 hours, seven days)
TTY: 1800 67 14 42

Homeless Persons Information Service
Freecall: 1800 234 566

Incest Counselling and Resource Centre
Freecall: 1800 65 41 19

Kids Helpline
Freecall: 1800 55 1800

Sydney Rape Crisis Centre
Freecall: 1800 424 017

For contact details of the sexual assault service nearest to you, ask the Sydney Rape Crisis Centre worker you speak to or call your local hospital or community health centre and ask them.

Victims of Crime Support Line
Freecall: 1800 63 30 63

Special Accommodation for Emergencies(SAFE)

The Special Accommodation for Emergencies (or SAFE) scheme provides accommodation for the dependants of ADF members in situations of extreme domestic crisis where the family members cannot remain in the family home (or service residence).

Depending on location it might be possible for a family to stay with extended family or friends, but they may not be in the area where you are living. Where family or other forms of support is available, it should be used in preference to SAFE. Similarly, where on base or other accommodation is available and appropriate, these should be used before SAFE is approved and arranged.

In exceptional circumstances, SAFE can be extended to cover the member and family.

Criteria to Access SAFE

SAFE can be authorised by Defence Community Organisation in the following circumstances:

• Domestic Violence situations, where a 'safe house' is required, and
• Other emergencies when the family cannot stay in the family home and no other alternatives are available.

In those cases where both the member and the family require accommodation it is probable that other resources are likely to be available or that the accommodation remains the members responsibility.

Procedures for Initiating a Request for SAFE

During normal business hours contact the local DCO Area Team. After hours, contact can be made through your base Duty Officer (Officer of the Day or SECPOL) who will put you in touch with the DCO Defence Social Worker or Military Support Officer.

SAFE Provisions

DCO staff can initially arrange for accommodation for up to three nights. A further three nights may be approved by DCO staff.

Further Information and Useful Links

A number of brief and very informative fact sheets and publications in support of wellbeing are available on the ADF Mental Health website. These cover a range of issues, such as:

• Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
• Cannabis
• Drink spiking
• Low risk drinking
• Party drugs
• Speed (amphetamines)
• Steroids
• Suicide
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Separation (Deployment)
• Coming Home (Reunion)
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Gambling

Also available are a series of fact sheets on Guidelines for Managing Traumatic Stress for:

• Commanders
• Individuals Partners, Families and Friends
• Parents and Carers of Children

The Australian Government Healthinsite website provides a wide range of information in their section on Health and Wellbeing.

Psychology Support Section

All Psychology Support Sections offer a 24 hour emergency service that can be accessed through your local Duty Officer/Officer of the Day or by visiting the Defence Internet or Defence Intranet sites.

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS)

The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service provides counselling and group programs to Australian veterans and peacekeepers and their families. It is a specialised, free and confidential Australia-wide service.

VVCS staff are professionally qualified psychologists or social workers with experience in working with veterans and peacekeepers and their families. They can provide a wide range of programs and treatments for war and service-related mental health conditions including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Contact details:

VETLINE

1800 011 046-- from anywhere in Australia

On Base Medical Centres

Your local medical officer can provide immediate assistance and referrals as required.

Lifeline

131 114 - If you, or a friend, need to talk to someone about a problem immediately, you can call Lifeline for the cost of a local call.

Defence Civilian Employment Assistance Program

Confidential counselling is offered at 200 locations throughout Australia to Defence civilians and families. During working hours call 1300 366 789 or for after hours crisis telephone counselling call 1800 451 138.