The new Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2023 was launched on World Mental Health Day yesterday.
The strategy consolidates and recognises Defence's commitment to a whole of organisation approach to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all Defence personnel.
Commander Joint Health, Surgeon General Australian Defence Force Air Vice Marshal Tracy Smart, The Secretary of Defence, Mr Greg Moriarty and Acting Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs launched the new strategy at Russell Offices in Canberra.
The theme of the strategy is "Fit to Fight – Fit to Work – Fit for Life," building upon the former mental health wellbeing and action plan and has been expanded to encompass Defence civilians.
Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said that "it’s also a timely reminder to seek support early and recover better."
Further details about the strategy are expected to be released in the coming days via the Department of Defence website.
Defence marked #WorldMentalHealthDay by launching an updated strategy to help us all be Fit2Fight Fit2Work & Fit4Life pic.twitter.com/KyZ1g11rmC
— VADM Ray Griggs (@VCDF_Australia) October 10, 2017
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Photo by Jay Cronan for Department of Defence