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Background
To ensure the early identification and effective treatment of mental health disorders in the veteran population, general practitioners (GPs) need to be aware that the traditional profile of an Australian veteran has changed, and that more than combat service can give rise to mental health issues.
Objective
This article uses findings that have emerged from research undertaken with participants from three veteran cohorts to highlight mental health issues that should be considered in general practice.
Discussion
GPs have a key role to play in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues among the veteran population for several reasons. First, mental health issues may emerge at any point during a veteran's lifespan and among any veteran cohort. Second, mental health issues may have a significant transgenerational impact on a veteran's family. Third, GPs are uniquely positioned to break down barriers to help-seeking, such as stigma. Importantly, there is a comprehensive system of support available to assist GPs in providing effective and culturally appropriate care for veterans.
Today, an Australian veteran may be any age or gender, and may have served in a wide variety of military environments. Military tasks may include border protection at sea, searching for bodies after bushfires, or war-like services in places such as Afghanistan. Research and clinical experience has found that military personnel will be changed as a result of exposure to high-risk environments, and that a significant number will experience sub-syndromal symptoms of fatigue, sleeplessness, impaired concentration, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal or anger.1-3 For many veterans, these symptoms will resolve, and they will view their experiences positively and potentially as a source of personal growth.4,5 However, a minority will be negatively affected and will go on to have mental health disorders. General practitioners (GPs) have a key role to play in the early identification of veterans needing assistance.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) recognises the unique nature of military service by providing a dedicated system of compensation, income support and health treatment for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). DVA supports some 316,000 clients, of whom approximately 40,000 are World War II veterans and 44,000 are Vietnam War veterans. Contemporary veterans from conflicts in places such as Timor Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan have emerged as the...