ALMOST 200 people will be recruited to participate in a new intensive treatment program for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over the next two years.
The Rapid Exposure Supporting Trauma Recovery (RESTORE) trial is a world-leading research program assessing if an intensive two-week treatment program of prolonged exposure therapy will provide better or comparable mental health outcomes to the usual three-month schedule.
Launching the trial in Melbourne in February, Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan Tehan said the outcomes would shape how the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence approached the delivery of mental health care for military veterans.
“While the current PTSD treatment is effective, it involves weekly therapy over three months,” he said. “This trial offers the potential to achieve the same positive results through a two-week program of intensive treatment.
“The evidence from the trial may help improve treatment for people in the broader Australian community who have PTSD.”
A four-year partnership project grant through the National Health and Medical Research Council was awarded to DVA, Defence and PhoenixAustralia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health at the University of Melbourne to conduct the trial.
PhoenixAustralia is leading the project, which is being conducted at the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, the ADF Centre for Mental Health in Sydney, and at PhoenixAustralia in Melbourne.
Mr Tehan encouraged anyone with PTSD as a result of their military service to think about participating.
“This research will complement initiatives to provide fast access to mental health treatment for veterans and ADF personnel,” he said.
“Today, mental health treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance misuse is free for anyone who served one day in the ADF.
“This treatment is demand driven and fully funded, so if someone needs treatment, it is available.”
The trial is open to current and former ADF members.
- For information on the RESTORE trial, phoenixaustralia.org and click on Expertise then Research, and Current Treatment Trials.
Any serving ADF members wishing to participate can contact their local medical officer in their Garrison Health Service.
Need assistance?
Support and information services available to current and former ADF members and their families:
- All Hours Support Line, 1800-628-036.
- At Ease Help Line, 1800-011-046.
- Defence Family Help Line, 1800-624-608.
- Lifeline, 131-114.
- Veterans’ and Veterans’ Family Counselling Service, 1800-011-046.
