IIMHL Military Mental Health Match Session One: The military mental - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

IIMHL Military Mental Health Match

Session One: The military mental health landscape

Colonel Nicole Sadler

ADF Mental Health Reform

• 2002 ADF Mental Health Strategy
• 2009 Dunt Review
• Four year ADF Mental Health Reform program
• 2010 ADF Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing

Study

• 2011 ADF Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
• ADF Mental Health and Wellbeing Action Plan

(2012-2015)

 Regular currently serving members, deployed to MEAO in 2001-2009, surveyed in 2010-2011 N = 9520 Health ealth and W and Wellbeing ellbeing Sur urvey ey  Regular, currently serving members  Not deployed to MEAO before 2010 N = 14961  Reserve & ex- serving members  Regular members who responded after 2010  Deployed to MEAO 2001- 2009 N = 4512

MEAO Census Study 2010 AD ADF Menta tal He l Health lth Pr Prevalenc valence e an and d Wellbeing ellbeing Stud Study

Military Health Outcomes Program (MILHOP)

MEA EAO O Pr Prospe

• spectiv

ctive Stud e Study

• Selected units deployed June 2010-June 2012
• Measured before & after deployment

N=1325 (pre and post surveys: 43.1%) N=24481 48.9% N=14032 53.5%

Mental Health in the ADF

• 12 month mental health disorder rates in the ADF were

similar to an age, sex and employment matched Australian community sample with one in five ADF members having experienced a disorder

• Over half of the ADF had experienced an anxiety,

affective or alcohol disorder at some stage in their lifetime, which is significantly higher than the matched community sample

Mental Health in the ADF

• ADF members who do not deploy are equally at risk of

developing mental disorders as those who deploy

• Not all personnel deployed will be exposed to trauma
• Higher prevalence of all disorder categories in Other Ranks
• High prevalence of first trauma exposures prior to entry
• Exposure to trauma through deployment, as well as lifetime

history of trauma, can increase the risk of mental disorder

• Interpersonal (female) and accident/other unexpected

traumas (male) associated with PTSD and depression

• Transitioning and ex-serving members require greater

attention

• PTSD is important – but it is not the only mental disorder of

concern

2011 ADF Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy - Six Strategic Objectives

1. Promote and support mental fitness within the ADF 2. Identification and response to mental health risks of military service 3. Delivery of comprehensive, coordinated, customised mental health care 4. Continuously improve the quality of mental health care 5. Building an evidence base about military mental health and wellbeing 6. Strengthening strategic partnerships and strategic development

http://www.defence.gov.au/health/DMH/i-MHRP.htm

ADF Military Occupational Mental Health and Wellbeing Model

Underlying Principles

• Not just about mental disorders - also about wellbeing
• Military service has unique risk factors

– But it’s not all about deployment

• Most people cope well and are resilient
• Everyone has a role, including commanders, peers and families
• Need a continuum approach that considers all stages of a career

– Including transition

• Defence provides treatment, no matter the cause of the mental

health problem or mental disorder

• Early intervention is important

– Need to address stigmas and barriers to care

• Evidence-based treatment from a skilled workforce
• Close collaboration required between all service providers

– Internal and external to Defence