CEO Update: Shining a light
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide last month published our book, Shining A Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing, honouring those with lived experience who have contributed to our landmark inquiry.
The book, authored by military writer and filmmaker Patrick Lindsay AM, comprises the deeply personal experiences of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their loved ones, who have been touched by military suicide and suicidal behaviour – as shared in some of the 5,889 formal submissions received by the Royal Commission. It’s their stories in their words.
Over the past three years, we have looked at all aspects of service and post-service life as we’ve searched for answers to the complex, multilayered issue of Defence and veteran suicide.
And it’s been those with lived experience of suicide and suicidality who have shone a bright light on the cultural and systemic issues that are failing our serving and ex-serving ADF members, and their families – and which are contributing to this national crisis.
As mental health professionals and advocates, many of the issues and themes covered in the book would be familiar to you: diagnosing and managing PTSD, the difficulties of transition into civilian life, and the impact of a breakdown of the family unit.
We hope this book will foster a greater understanding of the unique challenges faced by those who serve our country, and their families.
One particular chapter of the book, ‘Avoiding the Mindfields: Mental Health Battles’ provides a quote from a former special forces operator and veteran of multiple deployments. The individual says a PTSD diagnosis can be an obstacle to change as “you begin thinking and acting in ways consistent with the label of a ‘broken veteran’”.
We know not all veterans are broken. In fact, the vast majority of those who serve in the ADF have a positive experience and go on to successfully transition to civilian life.
However, we use this point in the book to note that sharing and normalising natural human responses can assist veterans to continue to move forward in their lives post military, rather than getting stuck between their old military world and the new civilian one. This is just one of many examples where we, as a community, can learn more from lived experience and provide greater understanding and support.
The book contains heartbreaking and, at times, harrowing stories from serving and ex-serving Defence personnel, and their family and friends, with lived experience of suicide and suicidality. But it’s balanced with stories of hope, strength, resilience and recovery, which we’ve observed as key character traits of those who have engaged with us throughout our inquiries.
Although it is not an easy read, it is one we hope those in the mental health environment take the time to read, to gain a better understanding of serving and ex-serving personnel and the challenges many have had to endure.
On 9 September, we will deliver our Final Report to the Governor-General – and our important work will be complete.
Until then, we will continue building the strong evidence base for the transformational cultural and systemic change required to turn the tide on Defence and veteran suicide, once and for all.
The many related inquiries and reviews which have preceded this Royal Commission have failed to reduce suicide rates – and the needless loss of life continues today.
To support sustained change, we believe there needs to be a powerful independent body to pick up where this Royal Commission leaves off. This body would provide oversight of all elements of the Defence and veteran landscape and monitor the implementation of our recommendations, and, most importantly, it would report publicly on their progress. The body would also ideally be one that understands and considers the needs of Defence personnel, veterans and their families.
I sincerely hope the Government takes this opportunity to show it’s committed to addressing suicide in the military and veteran community. The Royal Commission must be the line in the sand.
Please take the time, if you can, to read our free book honouring those with lived experience, available on our website.
Commissioner Peggy Brown | 
