ANZAC Day – a call to care for those who serve

Guest blog by Dr Peggy Brown AO, Chair of Mental Health Australia

As we approach ANZAC Day, we are invited to remember the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. It is a day of reflection, respect and gratitude.

It can also be a challenging time, particularly for those living with the impacts of service‑related trauma and loss. As we commemorate, we must also consider how we care for those who have served, and how we continue to support those who serve today and into the future.

As Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, I was deeply honoured to hear directly from veterans and families across Australia. I sat one-on-one with many people with military service who had lived experience of mental health challenges, trauma and suicide, to hear their personal stories, experiences and perspectives. These lived experience voices were at the heart of the Commission’s work. 

The Final Report of the Royal Commission, tabled in 2024, documented a wide range of service experiences. Many people spoke of pride, purpose and belonging. Others described the long‑term psychological impacts of service. These included increased suicide risk, post‑traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, moral injury and intergenerational trauma. 

Eighteen months on from the release of the Final Report, progress is being made. Thirty‑two of the 122 recommendations had been implemented by the end of 2025, with work underway on many others. This reform agenda matters, and sustained commitment will be critical to achieving lasting change.

While Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs have significant responsibilities, they cannot do this work alone. Mental health organisations, community services, workplaces and the broader community all have an important role to play.

We must continue to recognise the strength, bravery and resilience of those who seek help. We must also ensure they can access quality support early, and that their care is tailored to their needs, whether that be trauma‑informed care, peer support or family‑inclusive practice. These foundations help foster hope and support ongoing recovery.

We also acknowledge the vital contribution of mental health professionals who support those who have served.

This ANZAC Day, and every day, honouring service means more than remembrance. It means continuing, together, to support the mental health and wellbeing of veterans and their families.

Dr Peggy Brown AO is Chair of Mental Health Australia and was also Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. She has held senior leadership roles across Australia’s mental health system, including as CEO of the National Mental Health Commission and Director-General of ACT Health.