Defence

Feature

Keeping the ADF on track

The Directorate of Mental Health (DMH) has this year entered into a new phase with a renewed team, some fresh ideas and some innovative ways of putting the original concepts of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Mental Health Strategy into practice. Katharina Chase spoke with Group Captain (GPCAPT) Len Lambeth, Director, Directorate of Mental Health, about the way forward for DMH.

GPCAPT Len Lambeth, Director, Directorate of Mental Health

Established in mid 2002, DMH provides specialist tri-service and multidisciplinary mental health advice, develops mental health policy and provides input from a mental health perspective into the development of strategic policy. Issues such as the promotion of good mental health, and the prevention, treatment and management of mental health problems and disorders in military members are at the forefront.

The DMH has representation across Defence Health Services (including medical, psychiatric, psychological and nursing), Defence Community Organisation and Defence Chaplains. The support of parent organisations in releasing specialists to work within the directorate is reflective of the holistic approach integral to best practice, and has ensured representation of respective stakeholder needs in policy development and delivery of advice and treatment.

Central to DMH is the development and continuing implementation of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Mental Health Strategy. The strategy has an integrated, multidisciplinary focus for the delivery of a broad spectrum of services, including mental health promotion, prevention, early identification, treatment and rehabilitation.

Reaching further afield

DMH has a clear and simple mission: ‘To enhance the operational effectiveness of the ADF’. The concept of operations is: ‘To enhance the effectiveness of ADF units through the provision of best practice, evidence-based mental health support to commanders and ADF members in order to contribute to the wellbeing and operational effectiveness of the ADF’s key capability—its people’.

DMH states its obligation as: ‘To provide timely, evidence-based mental health support to commanders and ADF members through the development of policy that, while evidence-based, is adaptable to the special conditions found in military service’.

According to GPCAPT Lambeth, it is very important for DMH to keep abreast of world literature on mental health and wellbeing, and be aware of relevant research.

‘When examining literature or research projects,’ says GPCAPT Lambeth, ‘we keep one question uppermost in our minds—how will this help our soldiers, sailors and airmen?’

‘We will need to have a focus on training by researching, developing, and where necessary, purchasing suitable mental health training modules for delivery to ADF members through DMH-sponsored training courses.’

GPCAPT Lambeth is adamant that, in order to achieve these goals to the highest level, DMH must look outside its small Canberra team.

‘We must utilise the skills and expertise that already exist throughout the entire ADF,’ he explains. ‘We accomplish this with the help of the Regional Mental Health Teams, which are the main conduit through which we support commanders.’

The ADF Mental Health Strategy

Moving into its fourth year, the ADF Mental Health Strategy continues to be refined and progress its primary focus on prevention and evidence-based treatment to maximise retention and enhance the quality of life for ADF personnel.

The strategy is seen as being in continuous development. To this end, DMH continues to provide expert specialist advice to commanders on all issues pertaining to mental health and wellbeing. The aim is to ensure the development of processes by which the ADF can deliver an integrated Mental Health Service reflecting world’s best practice. This will enhance operational capability while promoting the ADF as an employer that cares for the total wellbeing of its members.

The six key initiatives from the ADF Mental Health Strategy that DMH works to implement are:

• integration and enhancement of mental health services
• ADF mental health research and surveillance
• enhanced resilience and wellbeing in the ADF
• critical incident mental health support to the ADF
• ADF Suicide Prevention Program
• ADF Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Program.

‘These are not set in stone and will be subject to revision and updating as necessary,’ says GPCAPT Lambeth. ‘I entreat all mental health providers to keep those of us in Canberra advised of any ideas you have about revising, modifying or developing these or any new initiatives.’

Guiding principles

DMH has a number of guiding principles. It functions to develop policy aimed at promoting good mental health and wellbeing in order to maintain operational capability.

‘We will carry out limited and basic training towards that end,’ says GPCAPT Lambeth. ‘We are not, however, a service provider. We are a resource in terms of clinical advice and policy, research and training.’

‘We always aim to build partnerships with key stakeholders and with other institutions that can assist us in maintaining good mental health and wellbeing in our members.’

Photo by CPL Robert Nyffenegger

Future plans

GPCAPT Lambeth has grand plans for DMH and continuing its valuable work in the areas of mental health policy development and advice.

‘Over the next several years, we aim to develop and disseminate relevant policy on a variety of clinical issues,’ he explains.

Two major research projects are coming on line for DMH: the ADF Prevalence Study and the ADF Resilience Study. These projects will clarify the extent of mental health problems in the ADF and will help to delineate those factors that enhance the resilience of service personnel.

‘We realise that mental health has been given high priority by government, both in the civilian and military sectors,’ says GPCAPT Lambeth. ‘There really has never been a better time to put forward the case for better delivery of better mental health support for our people.’

See this month’s Work–Life pages for more on DMH and GPCAPT Len Lambeth.

Further information can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dhs/mentalhealth/index.htm or email DMH.mentalhealth@defence.gov.au.

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