DVA puts veterans at ease

Brittany George February 26, 2015

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced new arrangements designed to make it easier for veterans to access mental health support.

Currently, veterans and eligible current and former members of the Australian Defence Force are able to access treatment for psychiatrically-diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorders, whatever the cause.

Under the new regime, known as non-liability health care, there does not have to be any link between the mental health condition and military service for the individual to access these services.

Veterans and eligible current and former members of the Australian Defence Force who are diagnosed with these conditions by vocationally registered general practitioners and clinical psychologists will also be able to access these non-liability health care arrangements.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Michael Ronaldson said extending access to non-liability health care to those who were diagnosed by a GP or psychologist ensures people were given access to these services as quickly as possible.

"Early treatment is vitally important in addressing conditions such as these," Senator Ronaldson said.

"The Government also previously expanded these services to include treatment for alcohol-use disorder and substance-use disorder and made changes to allow a greater number of people with peacetime service to be eligible for these treatments."

A psychiatrist's diagnosis will still be required for compensation claims relating to mental-health conditions.

Further information on mental health support for veterans and their families can be accessed at this link.

Read more by PS News Online, 12 February 2015