THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Thursday, 27 Aug 2009
049/2009
IMPROVING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ADF
MEMBERS IN NORTH QUEENSLAND
The Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, the Hon Greg Combet AM
MP, today announced the relocation of psychological services and resources for ADF
members to Lavarack Barracks, as part of a broader strategy to improve mental
health services for ADF personnel in North Queensland.
The Psychology Support Section – North Queensland (PSS-NQ) will now be located
at Lavarack Barracks which will mean that ADF members at Lavarack will have
greater access to mental health professionals.
“The move will provide better access for ADF members to other health and support
personnel including nurses, doctors, social workers, and chaplains,” Mr Combet said.
“This is the first step in a series of events that will unfold in Townsville over the next
12 months as a result of Professor David Dunt’s review of ADF mental health care.
“The move announced today is a significant step towards the implementation of a
Primary Mental Health Care Multidisciplinary Team at the Barracks giving ADF
members quick access to care when they need it, and at their workplace.
“In addition to the new Primary Mental Health Care Multidisciplinary Team, a new
Regional Mental Health Team will be established at Lavarack Barracks within the
next 12 months.
“The Regional Mental Health Team will provide secondary level mental health
services including outpatient treatment programs, supervision of more complex
cases, and the delivery and coordination of mental health training for ADF personnel.
“The Regional Mental Health Team will be created with a Coordinator and a minimum
of three other professionals, including a clinical psychologist,” Mr Combet said.
The Rudd Government has allocated $83 million over the next four years to start a
major program of reform across Defence in the area of mental health which will
include the provision of improved mental health governance and policy, enhancing
the mental health workforce, improving training for ADF personnel and providers, and
enhancing prevention strategies.
Please note Defence Media has a new phone number: 02 6127 1999.
The existing number will be automatically diverted to the new number for three
months. The existing after-hours duty mobile 0408 498 664 will remain.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
