Submission to Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

This submission represents the view of Suicide Prevention Australia, Mental Health Australia, and Relationships Australia on a new oversight entity proposed by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (Royal Commission). Our views are informed by our member organisations and by people with a lived experience of suicide and mental health challenges, and their families, carers and supporters. We strongly support the establishment of an independent, unbiased entity to continue the Royal Commission’s work to ensure government action towards reducing the unacceptably high rate of suicide in our Defence and veteran community.

In 2023, Suicide Prevention Australia, Mental Health Australia and Relationships Australia developed a joint paper calling for a blueprint for reform and the establishment of an independent entity to ensure ongoing accountability following the Royal Commission. The key recommendation of this paper is that the Royal Commission should call for the Australian Government to resource a project to create and deliver a blueprint for reform in mainstream suicide prevention, mental health and social services to enhance accessibility, engagement and efficacy for Defence members, veterans and their families. The proposed entity should be adequately resourced to create and lead the development of this blueprint.