Introduction

Hi @RachSANECEO I'm not sure I would call myself a 'veteran' as I did not serve outside of Australia even.

Just a few thoughts since I'm here though.

In the current climate of lowering selection criteria, I would like to say I joined in 1980 under similar circumstances, however I dont think they dropped medical standards then, definitely education,as our Troop OC loved to remind us that we 'had a grade 6 primary school education.

I should not have joined. I didnt answer the psych profile truthfully and after scraping through basic thought it was all downhill from there. endless medical chits to get out of PT, unironed uniforms etc, led to getting charged a few times and getting back with the program.

I had nightmares about being in the Army for years after I left and was subject to bastardisation from senior commissioned and no-commission ranks. was told of some pay out scheme, where I thought I might get some acknowledgement, but after 12mths waiting was told, spelling out my statement in detail bringing everything back again that my statement 'was not bad enough' so that process was another form of abuse in itself for

1. bringing it up again and encouraging me to think of every possible incident
2. then throwing it all back in my face after asking me to provide all the info, saying was no standard of evidence etc ie how could we not give you a feww grand to sign away rights and go away and then just say No. wasnt bad enough. wasnt violent enough, want repeated enough times.

So , like 40 years later I get a DVA White Card that says I can get 'free psych' to a 'few visits' depending on where you look. I asked people , asked GPs, never heard of it, rang multi -million dollar RSL HQ in Perth where they have lunches that would match the Hilton and Governors and toffs visit and all full of 'help' and things. they didnt know where I could find a psych. (even tho they claim they had one onsite there) so to me it all seems very 'clubby' and non-inclusive ie like the Army was.

I joined local RSL thinking that might lead to some introduction to where to find help at least. it just seems like a fund -raising club. spoke to the local president like twice now , once joining and once in passing at their monthly meal nite. I could have been anyone who walked in off the street.

so maybe its me.

as a footnote, people were killing themselves in basic training back in the early 80s onwards with no wars around, its just didnt get any publicity.

that and the rest @Oaktree that was just weekly/daily thing would be said to people who werent up to scratch

@TAB I'm sorry to hear you've had such a negative experience. In saying that mine hasn't been much better. Not even knowing I could get help has been the most challenging I think.

I got given my white card in 2019 when I first applied/claimed and DVA covered an in patient stay at a private facility for me. Since then they've covered all my psych related expenses including seeing a psychologist every 3 weeks (i've been seeing her since 2019) and seeing a psychiatrist every 6 months or as required. They have approved medicinal cannabis for my back injury and cover that which has been great.

I also received financial compensation as a lump sum and am on fortnightly benefits until I am of retirement age then I go on a pension.

I was able to get an Advocate at my local RSL who helped me start the process but I've had another 3 since then and countless reps at DVA.

I loved being in the Army and even though I only served for a year I am proud to call myself a Veteran. My career was taken away from me at my fault of my own (the assault) and as a result have mixed feelings at times.

Overall I do feel massively let down by the ADF, Army and DVA as im sure many others do too.

Hi @RachSANECEO

Below are my thoughts:

What do you think of the current systems/services available for Veterans? DVA is so poorly run/managed it's ridiculous, RSL veteran staff/volunteers and Advocates - are generally older - no disrespect, which for someone like myself I found quite isolating.... There are too many different amounts of veteran organisations and charities, much like mental health - it can be overwhelming.

Is it easy enough to access support for mental health and suicide prevention? What are the gaps? I've not had any barriers to support, just delays and long processes with DVA

What sort of experience of service is important from the perspective of Veterans? A more personalised service as we all have had very unique experiences as Veterans so to be blanketed and treated like we are nothing or worse ignored is horrible. We gave our lives. We literally signed contracts saying we are happy to die for our country. Don't we deserve more?!

Does stigma and discrimination play a role in preventing Veterans from seeking help? I haven't experienced it personally. I have had no issues in seeking help and finding it when I needed it.

Is there value in peer support models for mental health and suicide prevention for Vets, delivered by Peers who have served? Yes 100% There is a distinct difference in military v civilians - whether it's the training/conditioning/comradery i don't know but it's there and we all know it. I think no one knows what we go through, what it's like unless you've done it yourself so I strongly believe this is the key.

Yeah idk @AllAboutMissy I got white card for finishing term of service along with ADM

Ok brother still in service pushed me to apply.

I get psych coverage cos it comes with the card as far as I know. Im not covered for anything else.

As I said.never spoken to or met anyone in RSL or medical profession who could shed any light on using so -called 'entitlements' re paying for psych. Ok only asked a few people and got discouraged as it seemed like it was a gyp as no one but me had ever heard of it.

Hi there everyone

Served through the 80’s-90’s and elected discharge because of atrocious conditions and treatment after returning from overseas deployment.

Dealing with DVA has contributed to frustration and ongoing anguish, anger and deterioration in ability to trust that department.
Decisions made within a few minutes and no consideration taken into account that a lot of problems all stem directly from service. Yet the ones making decisions have never served or have had no lived experience.

But, chipping away and looking after myself, I’ve found light at the end of the tunnel.
Total knee replacement, cervical discectomy, removal of ac joint in shoulder and ongoing PTSD management all reminders of service. But sharing tips for others to keep pushing back against DVA decisions is what will help others.
Gold card eligibility only decided in 2024 - even though I discharged and started claims years before hand. It’s the bureaucracy which hurts veterans even more and more.

Completely agree that DVA is poorly run and definitely understaffed. Some claims are sitting for over 18months atm. But continually pushing the envelope and contacting them regularly, as well as asking them to escalate a claim is a good way to move things I. The right direction.

There appears to be way too many veterans organisations who hound you for business if you do reach out for anything. Constant emails, calls etc and that is off putting. I would prefer a designated consultant who I could reach out to and discuss all aspects of a claim. And yes, someone who has served and has had lived experience in the services. Sadly, they seem to employ a lot of retired people, or people who only want to work a little bit of the time in semi-retirement who have no drive really.
Personalised services would be so much better in the long run for veteran health.

Government is making the same mistake as they did with education and the huge spike in ‘colleges’ which saw billions ripped off by shonky businesses and no increase I education qualifications for thousands of students.

Now the government is just throwing money at organisations to help veterans, with little to no experience in service delivery for military personnel. Any organisation only has to put the work veteran in their title and they are trying to attract business to make money. All at the expense of veteran health and lack of real support or outcomes.

Welcome @RahulSANECCO I can see you are a new member to this space - I wondered if you would like to introduce yourself and share a little about your experience as a Vet? quick tip - other members get a notification when tagged so perhaps others might also like to say hello too Tagging: @AllAboutMissy @Oaktree @RugbyAFL