Towards a Blueprint - Ensuring mainstream services are accessible and effective for veterans,

The primary recommendation of this paper is that the Royal Commission should call for the Australian Government to resource a project to create and deliver a blueprint for reform in mainstream services to enhance accessibility, engagement and efficacy for veterans, defence personnel and their families. [...] While improving the ability of mainstream services to better understand and respond to the specific needs of veterans, defence personnel and their families is critical, this must occur alongside efforts to improve the overall accessibility, effectiveness and equity of the mental health and system prevention systems. [...] The primary recommendation of this paper is that the Royal Commission should call for the Australian Government to resource a project to create and deliver a blueprint for reform in mainstream services to enhance accessibility, engagement and efficacy for veterans, defence personnel and their families. [...] While improving the ability of mainstream services to better understand and respond to the specific needs of veterans, defence personnel and their families is critical, this must occur alongside efforts to improve the overall accessibility, effectiveness and equity of the mental health and system prevention systems. [...] • Fund specific suicide support call line for veterans, to be staffed by ex-serving members and carers • Action in both Defence and DVA to raise awareness of the range of services available to both defence personnel and veterans - explore and build on initiatives that coordinate and streamline veteran services across the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and community and hea.