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About Joint Health Command


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Joint Health Command (JHC) provides health care to ADF members and ensures the health preparedness of ADF personnel for operations, and, deployable elements of JHC for deployment in support of operations. To effect this, JHC develops strategic health policy, provides strategic level health advice and exercises technical and financial control of ADF health units.

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Commander Joint Health Command Rear Admiral Robyn Walker

About Commander Joint Health

AVM Tracy Smart joined the Air Force in 1985 and completed her medical training at the Flinders University of South Australia in 1987. After completing Intern and Resident Medical Officer training at Adelaide hospitals, she commenced full time duty in the RAAF in January 1989, serving as a Medical Officer at RAAF bases Amberley (1989) and Pearce (1990), and Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at RAAF Pearce in 1991.

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Health Updates

New Research into the Mental Health of ADF Members

In 2014, the Department of Defence in collaboration with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, commissioned one of the most comprehensive military research programmes undertaken in Australia. The Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme examines the mental, physical and social health of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel, and their families.

The first two reports, Mental Health Prevalence and Pathways to Care, were released on 5 Apr 18 and can be accessed at

http://www.defence.gov.au/Health/DMH/ResearchSurveillancePlan.asp

A further six reports will be released throughout 2018 and 2019

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Defence Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy

On 10 October 2017, Acting Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral Ray Griggs and the Secretary of Defence Mr Greg Moriarty, launched the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2023.

This Strategy consolidates and builds on our experience and recognises out commitment to a whole or organisation approach to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all Defence personnel through their service in the ADF or as APS employees.

It acknowledges the similarities and unique elements of the ADF and APS workforce and recognises the need to distinguish the specific services and initiatives tailored to each. The strategic objectives apply to everyone in Defence but also reflect the specific and additional challenges posed by military service.

For a web accessibility copy of the document please contact mental.health@defence.gov.au  



Evaluation of the PTSD Coach Australia mobile phone application

For more information see Evaluation of the PTSD Coach Australia mobile phone application

The RESTORE Trial

Serving members that may have developed PTSD during or after their military service may be able to participate in a new clinical treatment trial known as the RESTORE Trial - Rapid Exposure Supporting Trauma Recovery.

The RESTORE Trial is investigating one of the most effective treatments for PTSD - known as Prolonged Exposure (PE). Prolonged Exposure therapy is a gold standard evidence-based treatment best described as a type of trauma - focused cognitive behavioural therapy.

The trial is being held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

For more information visit the RESTORE page.

Cadets now have access to the Employee Assistance Program

ADF Cadets now have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides free, confidential and professional counselling to help people resolve problems that may impact their life. For more information see For Cadets

JHC Annual Review 2017-18

The annual performance review for health services provided to ADF personnel highlighting the significant progress made in delivering high quality healthcare during the reporting period

The Annual Review 2017-18 is available via this link

View the full Health Alert

Resilience App for ADF Members

A new smart phone app developed by the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and Defence has been released to help current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) manage immediate responses to stress and help build resilience.

View the full Health Alert



Health Resources



Useful Contacts & Quick Links

Health Projects and Initiatives

Office of Commander Joint Health

Other Health Information

Chief of Joint Capabilities

Joint Capabilities Group

JCG Commands and Divisions

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