Veterans' Mental Health

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding veterans' mental health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: I have spoken before in this chamber about our veterans, the contribution they make and the challenges they face. With Remembrance Day having been commemorated earlier this week, and certainly, I think, most members of this chamber having been to Remembrance Day services—I had the opportunity to lay a white wreath to honour the service of service personnel who had taken their own lives—will the minister update the council on veterans' mental health?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:04): I thank the honourable member for his question. Remembrance Day does give us an opportunity to pause. It gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution made by Australian service men and women, and thank them for the sacrifices they have made and still make today.

Unfortunately, military service often has serious consequences for their health, both physical and mental. This was highlighted to me again on Monday, when it was my privilege to attend a Remembrance Day service in the historic chapel at the Repat. The service was again superbly organised by Darryn Renshaw, SA Health's Veteran Liaison Officer. Reverend Hilary Reddrop officiated, with the ode read by World War II veteran Les Brown.

The congregation was fortunate to hear an address by veteran Nathan Bolton, the veteran representative on the Premier's Council on Suicide Prevention. I acknowledge the honourable member who asked the question is the chair of that body, as the Premier's advocate on suicide prevention. Mr Bolton is also a member of the South Australian Mental Health Commission Community Advisory Committee.

Mr Bolton spoke directly to the significant mental health challenges often faced by veterans. He served two tours of duty in Afghanistan with the Special Operations Engineer Regiment. His duties included searching for and clearance of improvised explosive devices, mines or bombs. He left the Army diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression as a result of those experiences.

His speech included a moving reflection on his experiences of loneliness amongst the crowds during an Anzac Day back in Australia. His closing words were particularly powerful, and I would like to put them on the record. He was calling for the community to have the courage to reach out:

It is the courage to reach out and say, 'I got you mate. You are not alone. Not on my watch. You have done your time, and today, my time is yours. And alone you shall not be.' Today, I will honour the fallen, but I shall also remember the living. Why? Because if you ask me, there is no better way to honour the fallen than to take care of those who lived.

It is important to hear these personal stories, and it is important to heed the call to provide support. Both the federal and state governments are working to provide support to veterans facing mental health challenges. The Marshall government has committed $2.5 million to support the work of the Premier's Council on Suicide Prevention and suicide prevention networks throughout the state.

Mr Bolton's role on the council is a sign of the importance given to veterans in these networks. We have also worked with the Morrison Liberal government to roll out the Way Back program here in South Australia, with $37.6 million committed by the commonwealth government across Australia to the initiative. Here in South Australia, the Jamie Larcombe Centre provides specialised veteran mental health services.

I would like to conclude by thanking everyone who was involved in Monday's service. In particular, I thank Nathan for his clear clarion call to remember the fallen, and honour them by looking after those who return.