2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

Looking after our people 157
at least three years continuous full-time service who is experiencing
diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression or alcohol
or substance abuse without the need to establish that their mental health
condition is related to their service.
6.43 The Government has launched the innovative ‘High Res’ smart phone
app that will help serving and ex-serving ADF members manage stress
and build their psychological resilience. High Res is particularly
designed to improve mental health outcomes for the current generation
of ADF members and younger veterans who engage with health services
differently to older veterans.
6.44 A pilot of the Reserve Assistance Program is underway. This program
provides confidential, cost-free, professional counselling services to
help Reserve members and their immediate families who have mental
health issues, regardless of whether those issues are directly related to
military service.
6.45 The Government will continue to improve linkages between the
Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs in support of our veterans
and ADF members as part of our strategy to provide a continuum
of support. Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs have
developed a joint program of work, the Support for Wounded, Injured
and Ill Program, which is improving and simplifying the way in which
government supports wounded, injured and ill members. Further
improvements will include improved electronic systems to better share
information, on the service of ADF members, between Defence and
the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and building closer ties between
Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
SECTION TWO CAPABILITY
6.46 The Government has extended access to the Veterans and Veterans
Families Counselling Service to include current and ex-serving
members who have served on border protection duties, in a disaster
zone in Australia or overseas, and for members medically discharged
from the ADF.
2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER