mental health Archives - CONTACT magazine

Peter Mengel with his Labrador Peaches and Defence Community Dogs Managing Director Leanne Kyle during a Defence Community Dogs awareness day at Russell Offices, Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

Unsung heroes on four paws

27/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 740 Views 0 Comments Defence Community Dogs (DCD), mental health, PTSD assistance dogs

When Peter Mengel left Army, his world fell apart. CAPTION: Peter Mengel with his Labrador Peaches and Defence Community Dogs Managing

Royal Australian Navy physical training instructors participate in the Push-Up Challenge at Fleet Base East Gymnasium in Sydney, NSW. Story by Amy Seedsman. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Military Fitness Royal Australian Navy

Pushing for an important cause

20/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 692 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, mental health, Push-Up Challenge

Navy personnel across the country, and even those deployed at sea, have been pushing themselves to the limit of peak

RAAF Sergeant Ryan Pedder travelled to the central coast to have his haircut by Instagram content maker Nick Senem. Story by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People

Barber chair conversations for mental health

17/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1256 Views 0 Comments mental health, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Williamtown, Top Blokes Foundation

Sergeants Ryan Pedder and Connor O’Neill and Leading Aircraftman Liam Ramsay took a seat in the barber chair to have

The Royal Australian Corps of Signals and Spartans Rugby Club members and supporters gather in celebration of breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon playing touch/mini/tag rugby game. Story by Captain Evita Ryan. Photo by Warrant Officer Class 2 Kim Allen.

Australian Army News

Touch players set world record for mental health

10/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1226 Views 1 Comment 1st Signal Regiment, 7th Combat Signal Regiment, 7th Signal Regiment, ADF Sport, mental health

On a quiet suburban football field in Toowoomba last month, 28 Army signallers, veterans and Queensland Police Officers laced up

Chief Petty Officer Jessie McFarland runs a barbershop for charity on board HMAS Adelaide. Story by Flying Officer Brent Moloney. Photo by Leading Seaman Sittichai Sakonpoonpol.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Haircuts that make a difference

07/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1299 Views 0 Comments Beyond Blue, HMAS Adelaide, mental health, White Ribbon

When he needs some motivation, Chief Petty Officer Jessie McFarlane gives himself a haircut. CAPTION: Chief Petty Officer Jessie McFarland

Army Physiotherapist Lieutenant Nicola Hribar leads a sunrise yoga class for members of ship’s company and embarked forces on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra during AUSINDEX 2019. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Leading Seaman Steven Thomson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Raising awareness of mental health

05/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1111 Views 0 Comments mental health, World Mental Health Day

With World Mental Health Day falling on October 10, Defence is encouraging its people to host activities throughout that week

You don't have to be a mental health professional to ask R U OK? Story by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

The question we can all ask, today and every day

09/09/202209/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1567 Views 0 Comments mental health, RUOK

R U OK? Day is Australia’s national day of action, originally established through Gavin Larkin’s lived experience of suicide bereavement

Dr Michael Davey, right, and his team stop for a photo at the Northern Territory border as they ride around Australia raising money for Soldier On. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Sergeant Sebastian Beurich.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Riding postie bikes for mental health

26/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1809 Views 0 Comments mental health, Soldier On

Dressed like Wally from Where’s Wally while riding postie bikes around Australia, three former sailors are contending with 14,500km of road

Royal Australian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Luke Brown during a training session for the 48forM8's challenge in Melbourne, Victoria. Story by Captain Carolyn Barnett.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Gruelling test of fitness for charity

22/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2018 Views 0 Comments mental health, mental toughness

Three Australian Defence Force officers are putting themselves to the ultimate test of fitness this weekend for charity: a 48 hour-long

ADF personnel, Defence civilians and a member from the New Zealand Defence Force, at Head Quarters Joint Operations Command, after completing the push-up challenge. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Pushing the mental health message

06/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1407 Views 0 Comments HQJOC, Lifeline, mental health

Doing thousands of push-ups over 24 days in June left 150 people at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) fatigued, but

Invictus Games 2020 Team Australia competitors Scott Reynolds, right, and Emma Murfet, centre, during a cycling training camp with University of South Australia staff in Adelaide, SA. Photo by Corporal Kieren Whiteley.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Veterans

Cycling towards Invictus Games

14/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1700 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games, mental health

Former maritime warfare officer Scott Reynolds suffered from a range of medical conditions leading to his medical discharge from the

CONTACT BLOG SPOT Editor's Blog

Follow-up to “Veteran refused care – because DVA is paying”

27/09/201805/02/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3611 Views 0 Comments Department of Veterans' Affairs, DVA's schedule of fees, mental health

It took six month but I eventually got a response from my local politician to my recounting of my experience

Delegates from Canada, US, UK, Australia, NZ meet in London for the International Ministerial Conference on Veterans' Issues. Photo courtesy Kent Hehr Facebook page

Australian News Overseas Veterans

5 ministers meet to discuss veterans’ mental health issues

21/07/201721/07/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4032 Views 0 Comments mental health, suicide, suicide prevention

Ministers from five countries, including Australia, met in London this week to explore challenges faced by contemporary veterans, and how

A thumbs up is given as a banner is placed across the front of an Air Force C-17A Globemaster aircraft to show support to mental health awareness on R U OK? Day at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo by Peter Longland.

ADF Australian News Veterans

Government response to National Mental Health Commission review

30/06/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3497 Views 0 Comments mental health, National Mental Health Commission Review

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan says the Government is delivering improved mental health support for current and former Australian

Open Arms provides crisis support and counselling 24/7 on 1800 011 046

ADF Australian News Veterans

Promoting mental health treatment

30/03/201730/03/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3794 Views 0 Comments mental health

The Government has launched a digital advertising campaign to inform current and former members of the Australian Defence Force about

Australian News Veterans

Improved mental-health self-help resource

08/03/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4114 Views 0 Comments mental health, self-help

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said improvements to an online resource for current and former members of the Australian

ADF Australian News Veterans

Two-year intensive PTSD trial launched

03/02/201703/02/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4378 Views 0 Comments arrest, mental health, PTSD

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan today officially launched the trial of a new intensive treatment program

Australian News Veterans

Govt tables response to mental health and mefloquine report

15/09/201615/09/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4463 Views 0 Comments mefloquine, mental health

Government’s response to the Senate Inquiry Report on the Mental Health of ADF Members and Veterans was tabled in the