$5.5 MILLION FOR VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today that Australia’s veteran and defence force communities will reap the rewards of continued leading edge mental health advice and research after the Australian Government negotiated a new five-year, $5.5 million contract with the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (ACPMH).
“Mental health disorders often harm a veteran’s family and social relationships, leading to a life that can be tragic and heartbreaking. I am determined to help my local veteran community in finding solutions to this complex mental health,” Mr Ruddock said.
The services include specialist research and advice on veteran and military mental health such as posttraumatic mental health, the identification and application of best practice treatment, and the development and delivery of education and training programs.
“The office of the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health has helped the Federal government offer world-class treatments in posttraumatic and general mental healthcare, as well as raise veterans’ mental health awareness,” Philip Ruddock said.
Recent Government initiatives developed with the help of ACMPH include:
• The Pathways to Care report, which examines mental health care access by veterans;
• An innovative mental health service model to guide the Government in the delivery and purchase of future mental health services for veterans;
• Alcohol Practice Guidelines and an advice book for practitioners on the treatment of common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression; and
• Accreditation and outcome monitoring of DVA-funded treatment for posttraumatic mental health.