Improving Mental Health Assessment of Veterans and Military Personnel

In this episode of Psych Matters, Members of the RANZCP Military, Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network engage in a lively discussion of how to improve assessment of current serving members and ex-serving veterans of the Australian Defence Force. This includes conducting a tailored history-taking process that includes specific aspects of service and transition to civilian life. Practical guidance for clinicians on specific details to consider and address during assessment is covered. Comorbid conditions, chronic pain and the needs of both women and older veterans are also discussed.
Speakers:
Dr Wallace was appointed to his current position as psychiatrist at the Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health, at HMAS Penguin, Sydney, in 2010. In March 2018, he was appointed as the inaugural chairman of the RANZCP Military and Veterans’ Mental Health Network and is now a member of the RANZCP Military, Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel Network Committee. He has been a Visiting Medical Officer at St John of God Hospital, North Richmond since 2015 and is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of NSW.Lieutenant Colonel Diana McKay is a fulltime psychiatrist in the Australian Army. She has worked in public and private civilian practice as an adult psychiatrist, with special interest in trauma and anxiety disorders, perinatal psychiatry and clinical education. She is a member of the RANZCP Military, Veterans’ and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network Committee. She is Honorary Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University. Dr Tom Turvey is a senior advanced trainee in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry. He has an interest in matters of military psychiatry which stems from his Father and his 7 siblings all being military and having spent the last 2 years being specifically involved and trained in military psychiatry. Tom is a member of the RANZCP Military Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel Network and a member of the Australian Military Medicine Association.Resources:

Wallace D, Lane J, Heffernan K, Nas Jones C. Australian military and veterans’ mental health care: improving assessment of military personnel and veterans. Australasian Psychiatry. 2021 Apr;29(2):153-6.

Lane J and Wallace D. Australian Military and Veteran’s Mental Health Care, Part 1: An Introduction to Cultural Essentials for Clinicians. Australasian Psychiatry 2020: 28 (3), 267-269.

Shepard B. A war of nerves: Soldiers and psychiatrists in the twentieth century. Harvard University Press; 2001.

Phoenix Australia’s 2020 Australian Guidelines for the Management of PTSD and CPTSD

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.