ADF Mental Health Strategy

Background

A key recommendation of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Health Status Report (2000) was the development of an Australian Defence Force Mental Health Strategy (ADFMHS). The Chief of the Defence Force endorsed this recommendation and initial funding was provided through the Defence Peoples Committee. The Strategy was officially launched by the then Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, The Hon Dana Vale on 21 May 2002.

A project team including all the key stakeholders in the area of Australian Defence Force mental health developed the Strategy. The Strategy recognises that mental health is not solely related to diagnosable mental disorders, but encompasses a broad range of lifestyle, mental wellbeing and job performance factors. The Strategy has a primary focus on prevention and evidence-based treatment to maximise retention and enhance the quality of life for Defence personnel.

The Strategy is coordinated in the ADF through the Directorate of Mental Health (DMH), Joint Health Command.

How is the ADFMHS implemented?

The original working group who developed the ADFMHS produced a document called the ADF Mental Health Strategy 2002-2004; it made recommendations outlining areas in which mental health of ADF personnel could be improved. From recommendations and reviews since its inception the ADFMHS now has six key initiatives:

• Integration and Enhancement of ADF Mental Health Services,
• ADF Mental Health Research and Surveillance,
• Enhanced Resilience and Wellbeing in the ADF,
• ADF Critical Incident Mental Health Support,
• ADF Suicide Prevention Program, and
• ADF Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Service.

The ADFMHS is implemented in regions by Regional Mental Health Teams (RMHT).

Improvements

Defence is constantly looking at ways to improve the ADFMHS. To aid us in the improvement, relevant, current and consistent training as well as policy, research, lessons learnt, feedback questionnaires and reviews are conducted both internally and externally.

Defence’s intention is that all ADF personnel and mental health professionals/providers benefit from better mental health services now and in the future.

Conclusion

The ADFMHS has progressed well since its inception in 2002. Our people have been able to develop, maintain and improve Defence’s mental health services.
We pride ourselves in enhancing the operational effectiveness of the ADF and in taking care of its key capability – its people.

Feedback

DMH.mentalhealth@defence.gov.au

24 September, 2008