The development and delivery of an integrated, nationally connected service to support veterans and their families is being investigated through a joint Australian Government and ACT Government feasibility study.
The mental health and wellbeing of our country’s veterans is a complex, but crucial focus of our local and national governments. Funding of $80,000 will be provided to carry out this feasibility study and inform the next phase of work in this area.
“We are excited for the opportunity this presents to work with the Australian Government to increase available services and supports to the veteran community, both here in the ACT and nationally,” ACT Minister for Seniors and Veterans Gordon Ramsay said.
Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said this work builds on the Australian Government’s investment in a network of six Veterans’ Wellbeing Centres across the nation, which provide an opportunity to integrate government and non-government support and create a streamlined approach to accessing services for veterans and their families.
“Results from this feasibility study, which will investigate the establishment of a national research and tele-health hub in the ACT, will support the health and wellbeing of our veterans across Australia,” Mr Chester said.
This jointly funded initiative will include stakeholder engagement, data collection and consideration of potential connection with research institutions to provide support to our veterans. The ACT and surrounding regions have a high concentration of serving and former serving men and women, with data indicating there are around 26,000 Veterans in the ACT.
