Australian veterans transitioning to civilian life deserve better support, researchers say

Australia is failing to support military veterans after they leave the service, with researchers raising concerns about a one-sided approach to their care and wellbeing.

Researchers from Flinders University and La Trobe University say too much emphasis is placed on psychiatric and psychological support and medical interventions for mental health, while too little is done to ensure veterans have basic resources such as a home, a job and a support network.

“One of the biggest challenges our veterans face is the transition process when they leave service. This is an opportune time to identify any challenges and provide the right support when they return to civilian life,” said Professor Ben Wadham of The Open Door Initiative.

“What we are concerned about is that the current transition service focuses too much on traditional treatment methods for mental health problems, but provides little to no support for the other areas that contribute to quality of life.

“By providing them with amenities such as housing, employment and education, as well as mental health care, we can help them live healthy and happy lives after their service.

“If veterans leave the service and don’t have a place to live, don’t have a job, don’t have a support network, it will exacerbate the mental health issues they have,” he says.

The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Healthreviewed current research and methods used to support the psychological, physical and social well-being of Australian war veterans. The findings raise serious concerns.

“Many current programs and services for veterans are not designed with the veterans’ own experiences and needs in mind. Instead, they focus primarily on treating symptoms such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), without considering other contributing factors,” said Professor Wadham.

“Social, organizational and environmental factors play a major role in a successful transition to civilian life, in addition to mental health factors.

“We want to see a greater diversity of approaches to veteran health so we can deliver holistic, tailored programs in a more meaningful way.

“As a nation, we seem to underestimate the challenges of community rehabilitation. We need to be aware of how institutionalized veterans can become during their service, and that the transition back into the community can be very difficult,” he says.

The findings of this research have important implications for how the sector works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of veterans, said Professor Wadham from the Faculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (DCDVS) ​​is due to present its final report in September. One of the key findings is that research into trauma and wellbeing in Defence and veterans is not diverse in terms of the methods used and the people involved,” Professor Wadham said.

“Our findings highlight that Australian research into veteran wellbeing is limited in scope and focuses primarily on diagnosis and treatment, at the expense of preventative programs and interventions.

“The sector needs more diversity and more attention to social factors that influence the health and well-being of veterans, such as their social relationships, cultural background and living conditions.

“It is vital that we listen to the stories and experiences of veterans and their families in the future and work with them to create solutions that meet their needs.

“This way we can ensure our veterans get the support they deserve after serving their country,” adds Professor Wadham.