The Hospital Research Foundation Group Impact Report - Flipbook - Page 71
MILITARY AND EMERGENCY
SERVICES HEALTH
National call to support
families after suicide
Encouraging help-seeking
for first responders
A new white paper has called on Australia to
take urgent action to support families after
the suicide of a military member.
Emergency service personnel are
regularly exposed to life-threatening
situations and traumatic events that
civilians rarely encounter.
More than 1,800 ADF members died by
suicide in a 25-year period from 1997 to 2023
– leaving a profound impact on families,
peers and communities, but little support.
The white paper, led by MESHA’s Dr Henry
Bowen, outlines a clear and practical
roadmap to establish a nationally
coordinated postvention system designed
to provide consistent, compassionate and
culturally competent care.
Thanks to your support, it has now been
presented at key briefings to Government,
military and emergency service leaders.
And while they may need additional
support, they often struggle to seek help,
due to a variety of barriers.
Murray Nankivell, a MESHA research officer,
is hoping to change this.
Following a successful application for
National Industry PhD funding from the
Federal Government, plus support from
MESHA and Flinders University, Murray
is now able to study this area of unmet
need, focusing on help-seeking behaviours
among first responders.
To continue to support the needs of those who serve our
communities, please consider a donation via (08) 8244 1100
or www.HospitalResearch.org.au
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