The hidden costs of service ... expert warn the prevalence of suicide among veterans is higher than has been officially noted. Picture: Alan Place Source: News Limited
LAST Wednesday night a veteran sent a desperate email to the Department of Veterans Affairs that read; "Thanks DVA. Am done. Talk to you in the next life. You say I have 0% depression. I'll show you."
The alarm bells rang and thanks to a private support organisation called RAR [Royal Australian Regiment] Overwatch the man was tracked to his home on the NSW south coast and a veteran was dispatched to talk him down.
His family and the police were also notified and he was prevented from joining the growing list of veteran suicides.
Earlier in the week ex-navy sailor Aaron McKinnon was not so lucky in receiving support when he decided to end his own life.
Another loss ... a picture from Aaron McKinnon's Facebook profile. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied
The former leading seaman boatswain's mate and golf fanatic was discharged in 2010 with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after 12 years of service.
He also participated in the St Andrews golf tournament in Scotland sponsored by the veterans' charity Soldier On.
News Corp last Sunday revealed that Defence and Veterans Affairs had no accurate statistics about how many former members had committed suicide.
Following that article the Australian Veterans Suicide Register, run by army veteran and permanently incapacitated pensioner Aaron Gray, was bombarded with another 40 names to add to its list of 128 victims of this insidious epidemic.
That is 168 documented cases since 1986 including an alarming 92 since 2006 plus Aaron McKinnon. The true figure could be well over 200.
Compiling the statistics ... former soldier Aaron Gray from Bomaderry pictured during a deployment in Iraq. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
Despite the tragic evidence the head of defence health Rear Admiral Robyn Walker — a Navy GP with no psychiatric qualifications — continues to deny that military service is a key contributor to the tragic total.
An online petition on change.org that had 1600 signatures calling for her removal on Saturday March 14 had increased to more than 3600 names by March 20.
Dozens of damaged veterans such as Annette Lambert from Goolwa North in South Australia have signed up and left strong comments on the petition.
"I am personally affected and disgusted by her statements now and in previous interviews over the years. I find it offensive and extremely detrimental to my health as do many other service and ex-service people whom I am in close contact with," Ms Lambert said.
Mr Gray, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and who runs the register on a voluntary basis, has been overwhelmed by the response.
"We have 168 names but the true figure is well over 200 and this response makes me wonder if the real number is not much larger," he said.
Mr Gray said the growth of the petition also indicated that there were a lot of very unhappy people out there.
"Hopefully defence and DVA will start to take notice."
Criticised on social media ... Rear Admiral Robyn Walker. Source: News Limited
He said that like many veterans he was mystified about where Defence spent the $140 million it devoted to mental health each year.
Defence told News Corp that it took the issue of suicide very seriously and it rejected claims that it had no statistics on the subject.
It said that since 2000 some 106 full-time serving members had died by suicide and that 61 of those had never deployed on operations.
Of the 45 who had deployed 17 had one or ore deployments to the Middle East.
Defence said the "vilification" of Rear Admiral Robyn Walker on social media was unwarranted and unacceptable.
"Rear Admiral Walker is a strong and vocal advocate for improving and delivering effective mental health services within the ADF and she works tirelessly to remove the stigma many feel still exists around the issue of mental health within the defence community and among our service men and women more generally," it said.
Australian Veterans Suicide Register. T Shirt for sale. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
"It is important that this debate focuses on the issues and not on individuals doing their best for the wellbeing of the serving and former members of the ADF."
Mr Gray runs the register with two other volunteers and he is seeking funds to establish a professional website to deal with the increasing workload.
He is selling fundraising T-shirts on the register's Facebook page and would welcome any assistance.
Meanwhile the government has released a new mobile phone app to help serving and ex-serving defnece personnel.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Michael Ronaldson and Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert launched the High Res app saying it was part of the government's innovative approach to improving mental health outcomes.
Any veteran or serving member who feels they need help should contact the RSL, Soldier On, Mates 4 Mates, the Australian Defence Force Assistance Trust or Lifeline.
Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14 or by clicking here.
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