Managing veterans’ mental health

A new smartphone application helping former and serving members of the Australian Defence Force to identify and manage mental health symptoms was launched this week.

Demonstrating the app to troops at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, said PTSD Coach Australia was developed to help veterans identify the signs of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and encourage them to seek help.

“A priority for this government is ensuring a range of mental health services and support are available for veterans of all ages—young and old—and that these services are tailored to their needs and the needs of their families,” Mr Snowdon said.

“PTSD Coach Australia provides them with education about PTSD, information about self assessment and professional care, and tools to manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD.”

Based on an app first developed in 2011 for US veterans, PTSD Coach Australia comprises tools for relaxation, positive selftalk, anger management and a scheduler to help users manage their self care, health appointments and other activities.

Mr Snowdon said PTSD Coach Australia was not designed as a stand-alone treatment or self diagnosis, but as part of a toolkit to assist people in managing PTSD.

“This app doesn’t replace clinical assessment and treatment by a qualified mental health clinician.  A Clinicians Guide on integrating PTSD Coach Australia into treatment is available on DVA’s At-Ease website,” he said.

PTSD Coach Australia was developed by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Health for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and is available for Apple and Android devices.

To download the app, visit the App Store, Google Play or the At Ease website www.at-ease.dva.gov.au

For professional and interpersonal care, the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) provides counselling and group programs to veterans, peacekeepers and eligible family members. It is a specialised, free and confidential Australia-wide service and can be contacted 24 hours a day on freecall 1800 011 046.