Awareness, Belonging, Connection as Defence marks World Mental Health Day

Today we recognise and support World Mental Health Day. Recognised nationally and internationally, World Mental Health Day is a reminder that we all have a part to play in understanding mental health, raising awareness and driving actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health.

The Mental Health Australia theme for 2023 is “look after your mental health, Australia” and focuses on awareness, belonging and connection. It is an important reminder to us all to check in with our colleagues, family and friends and ourselves.

Defence is committed to strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of all people in the Defence community, through better access to supports, tools and resources.

As part of actioning this goal, initiatives include:

• A joint Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029 being developed with the Department of Veterans Affairs,
• Building the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Branch within Defence to deliver targeted and evidenced based, strategies, training, education and systems that improve the mental health and wellbeing of our people in Defence, and
• Delivering an updated suicide awareness training module for all Australian Defence Force personnel.

Defence also continues to support the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Brigadier Caitlin Langford, Director General of the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Branch, said a mentally healthy workforce is one where Defence people lead enriched lives, engage in fulfilling careers, have a positive sense of wellbeing and contribute to strengthened operational capability.

“Today on World Mental Health Day, I say thank you to our psychologists and clinicians in uniform, their public healthcare counterparts and departmental staff who continue to provide mental health and wellbeing services, education and training to Defence people day in day out, Brigadier Langford said.

“The work you do is vital to ensuring we deliver the best possible mental health and wellbeing support to our people.”

Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs have a broad range of mental health support services available to ensure all Defence people have access to the right support at the right time.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. You will be supported.

• Defence All-hours Support Line (ASL) – 1800 628 036: a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families 24/7.
• Defence Member and Family Helpline – 1800 624 608: staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists 24/7.
• A network of dedicated mental health professionals at health centres located at major Defence bases that can provide or facilitate support both on-base or off-base.
• Away from base, or for out-of-hours assistance - 1800 IMSICK (1800 467 425) to locate the nearest support 24/7.
• ADF Chaplaincy Services - 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362): provides a 24/7 in person on-call service that is regionally based. Call and ask to speak to the on-call Chaplain in your area.
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling – 1800 011 046: provides free and confidential counselling and support for current and former serving ADF members and their families 24/7.
• The Defence Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – 1300 687 327; This free, confidential and professional counselling service is available to ADF Reservists, ADF Cadets, Officers and Instructors of ADF Cadets and their immediate families, and their supervisors/managers.
• 1800 SEMPRO – Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office – 1800 SEMPRO (1800 736 776).

MEDIA NOTE – Please see links to two Defence stories.

Breaking the stigma | Defence

Vulnerability takes courage | Defence