[Jan Fisher]

It looks like our veterans are doing it tough, are we supporting them enough?

Recently released figures covering the 2020-21 period from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that while the government expects people who join the army to be in excellent health, it is doing little to support those struggling after their service.

According to the figures, veterans were 26 per cent more likely to die by suicide than all Australian males.  

The figures also show male veterans have higher rates of long-term illness, however they are more likely to seek treatment for mental health disorders.

Sadly, male veterans and non-veterans had the same health risk factors including smoking, drinking too much, poor diet and exercise participation.

And the government is spending less on healthcare. For the period, spending on veterans’ healthcare spending decreased in public hospitals (down 8.8 per cent per year), private hospitals (down 6.4 per cent per year), primary health care (down 4.1 per cent per year) and referred medical services (down 2.2 per cent per year).

Naturally, as the World War II veteran numbers dwindle – there are an estimated less than 3000 still alive – spending will dwindle, but the suicide rate alone needs addressing.

What do you think should be done?

[ronloby]

No government does enough to support veterans and will never do. I am one of those veterans who has been given the flick. Just because I smoked as most men did back in the 1970’s and because of that I was given the flick with my heart problems.

[Hoss]

I am a WW2 veteran aged 102 and I cannot speak more highly of the services I get from DVA.I have had five or more stays in hospital and apart from one foot infection that hampers my walking, I am fairly well. If it wasn’t for the Gold Card I would be Thousands of dollars out of pocket.

[Author]

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