Kennett: 'This grateful nation lets down so many servicemen and women'0:49
Jeff Kennett asks why 'this grateful nation lets down so many servicemen and women' when they return from war.
Beyond Blue chairman Jeff Kennett calls for war on veteran suicide
BEYOND Blue chairman Jeff Kennett has used an official Remembrance Day address to call for a “war” on veteran suicide.
“This has to be a zero tolerance campaign,” the former politician and Beyond Blue chairman said at the Australian War Memorial in the nation’s capital.
It comes after a News Corp investigation earlier this year found more than 40 military personnel and veterans had died over the year from suicide — the same as the number of Australians who were killed in Afghanistan during 13 years of war.
“Talking about suicide does not make it happen and could well save a life,” Mr Kennett said on Friday.
“More must be done, urgently, to address this trend,” he said.
“We may not prevent all such deaths but we should be able to prevent most.
“As Australians, we must declare war on veterans’ suicide.
“This has to be a zero tolerance campaign.”
Many Twitter users applauded Mr Kennett for his moving speech over social media.
Such a moving ceremony @AWMemorial for #remembranceday, inc a clarion call from Jeff Kennett for more mental health support for vets. #ptsd pic.twitter.com/9XhiQtSZmV
— Menna Rawlings (@MennaRawlings) November 11, 2016
Great speech @JeffKennett.We must be willing to fully support our vets when they return from combat or not send them at all #RemembranceDay
— Joanne Corrigan (@JoanneCorrigan) November 11, 2016
The former serviceman said the issue should be made a top priority by both major political parties.
“At services such as these we repeat the words ... ‘lest we forget’,” he said.
“We should never forget, and we will never forget.
“But let us also remember our obligations to those who are serving, to those who return from conflicts with broken bodies and minds, so that we commit ourselves as a nation to work with them to ensure their return to Australia is happy, worthwhile and lasting.”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the Government would review suicide prevention services for veterans and a trial suicide prevention initiative in Townsville earlier this year.
Mr Turnbull said at the time it was “one of the most important issues and responsibilities for our Government, for any government”.
If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
Young people aged 5 to 25 years can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
Remembrance Day, 98 years since end of WWI3:28
Ninety-eight years ago today the guns fell silent across the Western Front marking the end of WWI.
Originally published as ‘We must declare war on veteran suicide’