Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)’s Post

Did you know military families can now receive face-to-face and telehealth mental health counseling through the Department of Defense Military and Family Life Counseling Program? The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024, recently signed into law, authorized licensed mental health professionals contracted or employed by the Department of Defense to provide non-medical counseling services to qualifying populations without regard for their geographic location. As a result of this change, DoD Military Family Life Counselors will be able to serve families in any state, not just the one they are licensed in – a change to improve the lives of military families. At ARServices, we provide legislative, policy, and governance support to clients across the Executive Branch, ensuring they are aware of how Congressional action and regulation can impact their operations and those they serve. Over half of our employees are veterans, and we know first-hand how policy changes such as this can generate substantial improvements in the quality of life of military families and veterans. #Veterans #MilitaryFamilies #VeteransAffairs

I honestly am tired of surveys. However, some surveys do provide useful information for leadership to action. The active duty and reserve Status of Forces Survey are available for public comment through the Federal Register. https://lnkd.in/gRPnQZ74 https://lnkd.in/gJMfGstp For the #military #specialneeds community, I had previously thought of the idea of including either #EFMP or SNP enrollment as a demographic question after listening to the last Military Family Readiness Council. #Militaryfamilies with dependents requiring special medical, mental, or educational supports need data to compare some of the #qualityoflife concerns that may impact our community more acutely. I encourage anyone that pays attention to the #exceptionalneeds community to provide comment asking for inclusion of this demographic question on the next survey. Picture: A day at the beach while playing with sand.

Veteran suicide prevention starts upstream. Part of how Veterans Bridge Home ensures we are meeting the needs of #transitioningservicemembers is by connecting with them in their first year of transition outside of #militaryservice. I've, personally, committed to moving the needle forward for #veterans in the Charlotte community by becoming a #BattleBuddy. The Battle Buddy program promotes the resilience of #servicemembers through connecting #transitioningveterans to a network of good people and trusted partners to assist with making connections (#employment, #housing, #VABenefits assistance, #education, #healthcare). So if you meet a #veteran, a Veteran family member, or Servicemember who needs help connecting to #CareerResources, #HumanServices, or #CommunityEngagement, and you don't know where to send them - send them to Veterans Bridge Home! https://lnkd.in/e6U6KYJ4 #BeTheBridge #VeteransBridgeHome #veteranshelpingveterans

A recent article highlights growing momentum in US Congress supporting exploring psychedelic treatments for PTSD among military servicemembers and Veterans. This shift in attitude marks another significant step towards integrating therapies like psilocybin into mainstream healthcare. Current legislative efforts include potential studies by the Defense Department, spearheaded by advocates like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Daniel Crenshaw. Read more about this pivotal moment here: https://bit.ly/3Gk2O5E #psychedelics #mentalhealth #Veterans #PTSD #biotech #healthcareinnovation #clinicaltrials

After identifying veteran suicide as its highest clinical priority, the military is making a major new push to prevent deaths by suicide, with numerous efforts underway both in the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). There is good reason for this heightened activity: For decades, suicide rates were lower among active-duty personnel than they were in the general population, but they are now about the same. Veterans, meanwhile, are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than nonveteran adults. Keep reading here: https://lnkd.in/gCygaggG #VeteranSuicidePrevention #MentalHealthResilience #SupportingVeterans #VAInitiatives #CommunityPrograms #VeteranSupport #MilitaryMentalHealth #UpstreamPrevention #TogetherWithVeterans #ReducingIsolation #SuicideAwareness #VeteranCare #AirForceTeamCohesion #MentalHealthInterventions #VeteranCommunityEngagement #HolisticHealthApproach #SuicideRiskReduction #HealthyLivingForVeterans #ResilientCommunities #VeteranAdvocacy

SCREENING FOR MILITARY SERVICE — or the ASK THE QUESTION(ATQ) Campaign — is a movement to identify #veterans & their family members in non-VA health care settings. Identifying veteran patients can help... ➡ Ensure veterans have the opportunity to utilize VA & non-VA health care benefits available to them. ➡ Health care teams recognize health risk factors associated with military service. Veterans often have more complex health care needs & are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts. Learn more about ATQ & screening for #military service in our Summer MFP magazine: https://lnkd.in/ef4hEQGu #familymedicine #primarycare #veteranhealth #mentalhealth #preventivehealth

Feeling like your disabilities aren't a big deal? And that you’re doing just fine without extra help? I understand…I used to think the same way. But here's the truth: if your injuries are linked to your military service, you're eligible for compensation. Let’s discuss it—schedule your FREE CONSULTATION with me and let’s make sure you're getting the benefits you deserve. Book your slot here 👉 https://buff.ly/4bhYwsJ #consultation #veteransupport #veteranshelpingveterans

🚨 Honouring Our Heroes: Beyond the Battlefield 🚨 As we take time to honour our Military Veterans, let’s also recognize another group of heroes who work tirelessly to protect and serve us: Emergency Services Veterans. These brave men and women – including paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders – put their lives on the line daily to ensure our safety and well-being. Supporting both Military and Emergency Services Veterans is crucial for several reasons: 1. **Mental Health Awareness**: Both groups face high levels of stress and trauma. Providing access to mental health resources can help them cope with PTSD and other challenges. 2. **Career Transition Support**: Veterans from both fields often possess invaluable skills and experience. Offering career transition programs can help them find new paths where they can continue to thrive and contribute. 3. **Community Building**: Creating support networks and communities where veterans can share their experiences and support each other fosters a sense of belonging and resilience. 4. **Public Awareness and Advocacy**: Raising awareness about the sacrifices made by both Military and Emergency Services Veterans helps garner public support and ensures they receive the recognition and resources they deserve. Let’s pledge to support and honor all our veterans, acknowledging their dedication and sacrifices. Together, we can make a difference in their lives just as they have made in ours. #Veterans #EmergencyServices #SupportOurHeroes #MentalHealth #CareerTransition #CommunitySupport #PublicAwareness

Day 5 Ruck to Stop Soldier Suicide Prevention. Intervention. Disruption. Stop Soldier Suicide is RELENTLESS in their mission to end Veteran and Service Member suicides. ***We have an aggressive goal to reduce the military suicide rate by 40% no later than 2030.*** So how is that going? * 1,300+ - Service members & veterans served in 2023 * 100% - survival of all military clients while actively being served by SSS * 90%+ - of our most at-risk clients completed a crisis response plan in 2023, giving them tools and resources to cope in moments of crisis * 49% - of clients decreased in psychological pain in 2022 * 48% - clients said that SSS helped prevent an attempt in their life in 2022 This is an organization led by people I know and trust. This is personal. If you can, please give by clicking this link. https://lnkd.in/eaK_Red5 #Valor #veterans #stopsoldiersuicide #suicideprevention

According to VA’s 2023 annual suicide prevention report, a growing number of women veterans are dying by suicide. The suicide rate for female veterans has nearly doubled in the two decades from 2001 to 2021, the most recent year with data available. In a report, Disabled American Veterans calls on VA to require that community care providers who treat veterans be trained in suicide prevention, gun safety counseling, and evidence-based treatments for mental health conditions common among women veterans, such as MST-related post-traumatic stress. https://lnkd.in/ebzDbKzx #mentalhealth #womenshealth #suicideprevention #veterans #womenwhoserve #army #navy #marines #airforce DAV (Disabled American Veterans) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs