The government's response to the royal commission into veteran suicide could be very accurate – but makes some mistakes

one An average of 78 Current or former members of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) have died by suicide yearly for the past decade.

In 2021, the federal government announced a proper stay. Royal Commission In defense and veteran suicide to cope with this national tragedy.

Now, the Albanian government issued his response To the Royal Commission Final report.

The government has agreed in principle. 104 of 122 The commission's final report released in September made recommendations.

According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanyprovides the reply.

A historic opportunity to offer lasting reform and support to our defense personnel, veterans and their families.

But what does the reply provide, and where does it fall short?

Mental health and the military

greater than Half a million Australians have served or are currently serving within the ADF.

of serving members, 22% report a mental health disorder.. This increased to 46 percent Among members who’ve recently transitioned out of full-time service.

Ex-servicemen are women. More than twice as likely Death by suicide in comparison with civilian women. Although the suicide rate of ex-military men who voluntarily leave the ADF is comparable to that of civilian men for age, the suicide rate of men who leave the service for involuntary medical reasons is higher. Three times more.

Number of suicide deaths in recent many years Too much weight Number of killed in energetic duty.

The reasons for the disproportionate suicide rate amongst ADF personnel are complex.

Although trauma experienced during deployment is prone to play a job, many current and former service members who die by suicide were never deployed overseas. The royal commission found that systemic and cultural issues played a major role within the ADF.

For example, there is usually tension between traditional military culture and mental health needs. The report identified excessesSelf relianceAs a barrier to help-seeking. On the one hand, self-reliance is usually seen as a military virtue. But when taken to extremes, it will possibly prevent people from searching for help.

What was the federal government's response?

Government's acceptance of 104 out of 122 recommendations of the commission could be very positive.

Throughout, a commitment to co-design, where the federal government will work with ex-service organizations, members, veterans and their families within the design of support programs and guidelines, demonstrates respect for military identity and lived experience.

Professional development can be a priority, with military cultural competency training for health professionals and improved trauma practice. Such changes reflect an understanding of the unique challenges service personnel face and the way military culture influences help-seeking.

The Government's ongoing commitment to finish Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims will remove a serious source of pressure for veterans searching for help.

Finally, I move to establish a brand new inquiry Military sexual violence Represents motion on a crucial issue in ADF.

What has been disregarded?

Only one advice – to compensate veterans permanently injured in training at the identical level as those injured in energetic service.

The government's decision to retain the longstanding principle of upper remuneration for energetic service touches on fundamental questions on how we value various kinds of service.

Given that many service members never deploy, this potentially reduces the service they supply. mine Research has found Not being deployed can negatively impact a defense member's sense of identity and their perception of being a “warrior.” Ignoring this advice can contribute to identity disruption and the mental health and well-being of those that don’t deploy.

People as the most important asset?

In full response to the federal government, it notes the establishment. A task force Recommendations throughout the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet ought to be considered which have been agreed in principle and noted for consideration.

The government has noted 17 recommendations of the commission for further consideration.

A advice is to extend the DVA fee schedule in order that it aligns with the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It principally suggests paying health care providers more to offer them more incentive to offer care to military members.

The government's response suggests a necessity for “military-informed” care slightly than simply increasing fees. While the health needs of veterans differ from disability support, the federal government's failure to support this advice could possibly be seen to send a message concerning the importance society places on defense members.

In a press conference when the federal government issued its response, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said “Defence's greatest asset is its people”. Funding models have to align with this value.

Similarly, several recommendations regarding data and research were forwarded to the duty force. The lack of immediate commitment to research funding reflects the gap between prioritizing personnel and rhetoric about actual research investment. Without adequate research funding, our ability to develop evidence-based solutions is impaired.

Finally, there are questions surrounding the duty force itself. For example, who will lead it? How will individuals with lived experience be included? How will its success be measured? Being within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet suggests a high level of focus, but questions remain over timeframes and accountability.

Where from here?

The government's response to the royal commission shows that, for probably the most part, it acknowledges the systemic and cultural problems that the commission highlighted in its final report. But cultural change will likely be an enormous challenge.

Looking ahead, implementation of the Royal Commission's recommendations needs to take care of momentum while balancing the urgent needs of implementing sustainable change and ensuring meaningful consultation.

The success of those reforms will depend upon maintaining focus and putting defense and veterans' welfare at the middle of all decisions.