The Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) have released a new Case Formulation e-learning programme to assist clinicians prioritise multiple conditions and adopt a case formulation and treatment planning approach with their clients.

Launched by the the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson yesterday, the e-learning programme together with the other existing resources are developed to support the mental health and well-being of the new generation of Australian veterans and their families.

They are available to all mental health providers, and deliver insight into the unique veteran experience and the specific mental health issues veterans face.

DVA offers a range of free online training programmes to increase the knowledge and skills of mental health providers who treat serving and ex-serving personnel.

“The mental health of veterans is a key priority for the Coalition Government and part of this is ensuring that mental health practitioners are able to respond to the needs of contemporary veterans,” Senator Ronaldson said.

“Veterans commonly present with comorbid disorders and complex needs that require careful treatment planning. Military personnel have a unique occupational experience.”

“Addressing the mental health needs of veterans is a challenge not only for DVA, but for all governments as well as for veterans and their families. It is clear to me that early intervention is undoubtedly the surest way to minimise the risk of escalating symptoms which in the worst cases can lead to tragic loss of life.”

“I am pleased that we have been able to partner with tertiary institutions, like the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, in developing these evidence-based resources.”

“The ongoing development of new resources and professional tools means that mental health providers are much better prepared to recognise mental health problems, intervene early and provide effective treatments,” Senator Ronaldson concluded.

For further information on Online Case Formulation Training Programme and other veteran mental health related education programmes, please go to the At Ease website.