The Australian Defence Force’s health assessment system is under scrutiny after a royal commission revealed its role in increasing veteran suicides. The findings highlight systemic issues that need urgent attention to support those who have served.
MEC System and Its Impact on Careers
When joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF), members receive a Military Employment Classification (MEC) that indicates their medical and dental fitness for active duty. This classification is reviewed regularly and can change if a member becomes ill or injured.
But here’s the kicker: this system, meant to manage the workforce, is also determining the fate of careers. A reduced MEC can force members to leave the ADF, often without their input. Imagine working your entire career only to be sidelined due to health issues beyond your control. It’s a tough pill to swallow.
Career Limitations and Involuntary Separations
- Limited Career Prospects: A lower MEC restricts opportunities within the ADF.
- Involuntary Separation: Members may be forced out due to health downgrades.
- Lack of Participation: Decisions are made with minimal input from the affected members.
This lack of agency in their own careers can lead to significant distress. Members find themselves abruptly removed from roles they’ve dedicated years to, all because of a classification they had little say in.
The Toll on Mental Health
The royal commission’s findings are stark. Medical separations from the ADF are strongly linked to increased suicide rates among veterans. Ex-serving males and females who were medically separated face nearly three and five times higher suicide rates, respectively, compared to the general population.
Personal Stories Highlight the Crisis
One former member recounted being medically discharged with little support:
“By the time I was discharged on that day, [I was] presented with a Certificate of Service. It was very informal, in a senior officer’s office, and that was it. A handshake and I was out. It’s ruined my life really — in a lot of ways — but I’m still here, so I can be grateful for that. If it wasn’t for my wife and my children, I probably wouldn’t be here. I thought about suicide a lot.”
Another shared the struggle of being pressured to return to duty despite severe injuries:
“I developed bilateral stress fractures of the tibia and was warned I’d be transferred to a platoon that was further behind if I couldn’t get out of the medical centre and back to my platoon. I sucked it up and managed to convince the doctor that I was no longer in pain and was allowed to return to my platoon.”
These testimonies paint a grim picture of the mental health challenges faced by those who leave the ADF under medical separation.
Systemic Failures and Recommendations
The commission criticized the MEC system for its lack of procedural fairness and inadequate support for affected members. Decisions are often made by “faceless bureaucrats” without proper consultation, leaving members feeling invalidated and unsupported.
Key Recommendations from the Royal Commission
- Increase Employment Opportunities: Provide roles for members who cannot be deployed.
- Systematic Role Identification: Identify and create suitable positions for medically unfit members.
- Maximize Continued Employment: Invest in retaining and utilizing the skills of affected members.
- Enhance Procedural Fairness: Allow members to review all relevant documents and make representations during the MEC Review Board process.
These recommendations aim to reduce the unnecessary separations and support veterans in transitioning to civilian life with dignity and adequate resources.
The Recruitment and Retention Crisis
The ADF is already grappling with recruitment and retention challenges. High rates of medical separations exacerbate this issue, leading to a loss of valuable skills and experience. In 2022 alone, about a quarter of separations were for medical reasons, with over 80% of involuntary separations in the past two years attributed to medical issues.
The Broader Impact on the ADF
- Loss of Skilled Personnel: Valuable experience is lost when members are separated.
- Recruitment Struggles: High separation rates make it harder to attract new recruits.
- Operational Efficiency: Reduced workforce affects the ADF’s ability to deploy effectively.
The absence of a formal analysis on the reasons behind these high separation rates further complicates the situation, leaving a critical gap in understanding and addressing the root causes.
Inadequate Health Care and Support
The report also points to inadequate health care as a significant factor contributing to medical separations. Dr. Stephan Rudzki, a sports physician and former military doctor, emphasized that the high rate of medical separations indicates a failure to provide proper treatment.
Mental Health Support Deficiencies
Members often face a culture that stigmatizes mental health issues, making it difficult to seek help:
“As a member of an elite unit that has conducted numerous tours to war, it is very disappointing to see that there was little to no support around mental health, like it was a shameful and almost embarrassing thing to talk about,” a former member said. “As a member that was medically discharged due to mental health, the support that was offered was lacking and still is post-service.”
This stigma, combined with insufficient mental health resources, creates an environment where members feel isolated and unsupported, increasing the risk of mental health crises and suicide.
Moving Forward: Implementing Change
The royal commission’s findings call for immediate and comprehensive reforms within the ADF’s health assessment and support systems. Implementing the recommended changes is crucial for reducing veteran suicides and improving the overall well-being of current and former members.
Steps Towards Improvement
- Policy Overhaul: Revise policies to ensure procedural fairness in medical separations.
- Enhanced Support Systems: Provide robust mental health support and resources.
- Continued Employment Opportunities: Develop roles that utilize members’ skills post-separation.
- Cultural Shift: Promote a culture that values seeking help and prioritizes member well-being.
These steps are essential to building a more supportive and sustainable environment for ADF members, ensuring that their service is honored with adequate care and respect.
