Free Mental Health Support for Veterans Australia Today

Veteran Mental Health Support Australia Today: Complete 2026 Guide

Veteran mental health support in Australia is currently undergoing its most significant transformation following the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Today, the cornerstone of free and confidential support is Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, which operates 24/7 at 1800 011 046 and has delivered over 2 million free sessions since 1982 . Since July 1, 2026, the new $78 million Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency has begun operations to coordinate and streamline mental health services . The Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030 provides the national framework, prioritizing suicide prevention and early intervention . Veterans can access free psychological care through GPs, community programs, and peer support networks designed specifically for the veteran community.

Quick Facts

The New Mental Health Strategy 2025-2030

What It Is and Why It Matters

The Australian Government released the Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030 in September 2025 . This strategy provides a unified national approach to mental health support across the entire Defence and veteran community.

What it is: A coordinated framework that guides all government and community mental health services for veterans, active personnel, and their families.

Who it covers: All current and former ADF members, their families, and the broader Defence community.

Why it matters: For the first time, there is a single, comprehensive strategy that addresses mental health from prevention through to crisis intervention .

What to do next: Familiarize yourself with the services available. If you or someone you know needs support, start with Open Arms at 1800 011 046.

The Six Core Goals

The strategy is built on six key goals :

1. Promote and assist wellbeing – Building resilience and positive mental health

2. Improve mental health through prevention and early intervention – Catching issues before they become crises

3. Facilitate timely access to quality care and support – Removing barriers to getting help

4. Grow a positive and connected veteran community – Fighting isolation through connection

5. Prioritize suicide prevention initiatives – Direct action to save lives

6. Use evidence and data to drive positive outcomes – Making sure services actually work

The New Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency (2026)

What Changed on July 1, 2026?

A major structural change took effect on July 1, 2026, with the launch of the $78 million Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency . This new agency sits within DVA and addresses four key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide :

What it does:

• Takes responsibility for supporting members transitioning out of the ADF

• Develops funded programs to support wellbeing during transition

• Coordinates ongoing funding for Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs

• Streamlines funding for organizations like Invictus Australia, Bravery Trust, and Kookaburra Kids 

Why it matters: This creates a single point of coordination for wellbeing services, reducing confusion and making it easier for veterans to find the right support.

What to do next: Keep an eye on DVA communications as services begin operating under this new structure. Existing services like Open Arms continue as before.

Open Arms: Australia’s Leading Veteran Mental Health Service

What Is Open Arms?

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is Australia’s leading specialist mental health service for veterans and their families. Established by Vietnam veterans in 1982 as the Vietnam Veterans’ Counselling Service, it has since provided over 2 million free counselling sessions to more than 300,000 veterans and family members .

What it is: A free, confidential, 24/7 counselling and mental health service designed specifically for the veteran community.

Who qualifies: Anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF (including reservists), plus their partners, children, and families .

Why it matters: Open Arms clinicians have specialist training in the military experience. They understand the unique stressors of service, deployments, transitions, and military family life .

What to do next: Call 1800 011 046 (24/7) or visit openarms.gov.au to start the conversation.

Services Offered by Open Arms

Open Arms provides a full spectrum of mental health support :

Counselling

• Individual, couple, and family counselling

• Face-to-face, phone, and telehealth options

• Evidence-based treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions

• Specialized support for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) 

Group Programs and Workshops

• Face-to-face group treatment programs

• Online groups

• Skills-building workshops

Community and Peer Program

• Peer workers who have lived experience of military service or military family life

• Peers “walk alongside” clients to connect them with the right support

• Veterans helping veterans 

Online Programs

• Digital self-help tools

• Free online mindfulness programs

• Practical tools for mental health management

Treatment for Families

• Support for partners and children of veterans

• Family counselling where the family unit is the focus

• Referrals to specialist services when needed 

What Open Arms Does Not Provide

Open Arms is clear about its scope. It does not provide :

• Specialized family and domestic violence services (though it screens and refers to appropriate supports)

• Court-ordered counseling

• Individual counseling for children under five (except as part of family counseling)

• Specialized assessments like medico-legal reports or ADHD/ASD assessments

• Specialized aged care mental health services

• Specialized homelessness services (though it can refer to housing providers)

Other Key Mental Health Support Services

Accessing Free Mental Health Care Through Your GP

If you have served at least one day in the ADF, you can access fully funded mental health care :

Step 1: Talk to your GP – they can refer you to the right professionals and provide a comprehensive Veteran Health Check .

Step 2: Get a referral to a psychologist or mental health professional. For most veterans with a DVA White or Gold Card, mental health treatment is fully funded .

Step 3: Access support through DVA-approved providers. Services like Australian Veteran Health Services (AVHS) offer telehealth or in-clinic consultations from ex-serving GPs who understand military culture .

Mates4Mates

Mates4Mates provides support for current and ex-serving Defence Force members and their families experiencing physical injuries, mental health impacts, and social disconnection .

• Over 11,000 veterans and families have directly benefited

• Services include mental health support, physical rehabilitation, skills and wellbeing programs, and social connection activities

• Access through centres in North Queensland, South East Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, plus online options

• Phone: 1300 4 MATES (62 837) 

Soldier On

Soldier On is a national support services provider for Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and their families .

• Contact during office hours: 1300 620 380 

Kookaburra Kids

The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation supports children (aged 8-18) who have a parent with a mental illness because of military service .

• Camp and activity day programs at no cost to families

• Helps children connect with others who understand their experience

Other Support Services

Help for Families

Why Family Support Matters

Veterans’ spouses and families often carry significant mental health burdens. The AIHW data shows that civilian spouses of veterans are more likely to have a long-term mental health condition than spouses of non-veterans, across all age brackets . Additionally, 315,000 spouses of veterans live in Australia, and more than half (162,500) have one or more long-term health conditions .

What’s available for families:

• Open Arms counselling for partners and children (24/7, free, confidential) 

• Guidance and counselling for students

• Support for families managing challenging life situations

• Kookaburra Kids for children with a veteran parent with mental illness 

Special Considerations for Different Groups

First Nations Veterans

First Nations veterans face unique challenges. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows :

• 22% of First Nations veterans have a mental health condition, higher than the 14% rate for all other veterans

• First Nations veterans aged 35-64 are more likely to have a mental health condition than non-veteran First Nations people (27% compared to 20%)

Support available:

• 13YARN crisis line (13 92 76) – 24/7 support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 

• Culturally appropriate services through Open Arms

LGBTQIA+ Veterans

LGBTQIA+ veterans have a higher rate of mental health conditions than LGBTQIA+ people who have never served . Specialized support includes QLife (1800 184 527) .

Digital and Online Support

Self-Help Tools

Open Arms offers a range of digital self-help resources to help veterans stay healthy, recognize signs and symptoms, and understand available support . This includes:

• Free online mindfulness programs 

• Mental health literacy and suicide prevention training (funded by DVA) 

• The Survive to Thrive program – an online training program developed by a former serviceman for managing PTSD, anxiety, and depression 

Telehealth

Many services, including Open Arms and AVHS, offer telehealth (video or phone) consultations. This is particularly helpful for veterans in rural areas or those who find it difficult to travel .

Mental Health Conditions in the Veteran Community

Common Conditions

Veterans experience mental health conditions at a higher rate than the general population . Common conditions include:

• Depression (often presents as lethargy, irritability, social withdrawal, or emotional numbness rather than sadness) 

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Anxiety

• Tinnitus and hearing loss (linked to mental health impacts)

• Substance use

• Relationship challenges 

Depression in Veterans

Depression in the veteran community often presents differently from civilian settings :

Veteran-specific signs to watch for:

• Marked lethargy – reduced energy, feeling slowed down, functioning on autopilot

• Diminished interest or pleasure – reduced motivation in activities that once felt meaningful

• Social withdrawal – pulling back from family, friends, or mates

• Emotional changes – irritability, emotional numbness, or detachment rather than sadness

• Changes in sleep or appetite – difficulty sleeping, oversleeping, under-eating, or over-eating 

What you can claim: Veterans can claim depression as a service-related condition. Many veterans experience depression months or years after leaving service due to delayed psychological effects or transition difficulties. A claim can still be accepted if evidence shows service caused or materially contributed to the condition .

Common Questions

1. What is the best mental health support service for veterans in Australia?

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is Australia’s leading specialist service. It provides free, confidential, 24/7 support for all veterans and their families. Call 1800 011 046 .

2. Do I have to have a DVA White Card to access mental health support?

No. Anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF (including reservists) can access Open Arms counselling, regardless of their DVA card status . For GPs and psychologists, a White or Gold Card covers the cost .

3. Can my family get support too?

Yes. Open Arms provides free and confidential counselling to partners and children of those who have served . Kookaburra Kids supports children with a veteran parent with mental illness .

4. Is there a new mental health strategy in 2026?

Yes. The Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030 was launched in September 2025, and a new $78 million Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency began operating on July 1, 2026 .

5. What is the new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency?

It is a new body launched on July 1, 2026, to address Royal Commission recommendations and coordinate mental health and wellbeing services for veterans and families .

6. How do I get free mental health care through my GP?

Talk to your GP, who can provide a Veteran Health Check and refer you to a mental health professional. For most veterans with a DVA card, treatment is fully funded .

7. What does depression look like in veterans?

Depression in veterans often appears as lethargy, irritability, social withdrawal, emotional numbness, and changes in sleep or appetite, rather than traditional sadness .

8. Can I claim depression if it developed after leaving the military?

Yes. If evidence shows your service caused or contributed to the condition, you can claim it even if symptoms appeared after discharge .

9. What is the Survive to Thrive program?

An online training program developed by a former serviceman to help veterans understand and manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression while building emotional resilience .

10. Where can I find crisis support right now?

Call Open Arms at 1800 011 046, Lifeline at 13 11 14, or in an emergency, call 000 .

11. Is there support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans?

Yes. 13YARN (13 92 76) is a 24/7 crisis support line specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people .

12. Can I access support online or by telehealth?

Yes. Open Arms offers online and telehealth options. Many providers like AVHS offer secure video or phone consultations from anywhere in Australia .

13. What is the difference between Open Arms and the All-Hours Support Line?

Open Arms (1800 011 046) serves all veterans and their families. The All-Hours Support Line (1800 628 036) is specifically for current ADF members and their families .

14. Does Open Arms provide family and domestic violence support?

Open Arms screens and assesses risk but is not a specialized FDV service. It refers clients to appropriate specialist services .

Key Takeaways

• Open Arms is the frontline support – 24/7 free, confidential counselling for all veterans and families (1800 011 046) 

• New strategy launched – Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030 guides national mental health policy 

• $78M new agency – Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency launched July 1, 2026, to coordinate services 

• GP referral pathway – Free mental health care through GPs for all veterans with DVA cards 

• Support for families – Partners, children, and carers can access support through Open Arms and Kookaburra Kids 

• First Nations veterans – Specialized support available through 13YARN and culturally appropriate services 

• Depression claims – Veterans can claim depression as a service-related condition even if symptoms appear after discharge 

• Peer support works – Veterans helping veterans through community and peer programs 

• Digital tools available – Online self-help, telehealth, and training programs 

• Suicide prevention is a priority – The new strategy emphasizes training and early intervention to save lives 

Official Resources

• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling – openarms.gov.au / 1800 011 046

• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) – dva.gov.au

• DVA Mental Health Support Services – dva.gov.au/what-we-help-with/your-mental-wellbeing

• Defence All-Hours Support Line – 1800 628 036

• Mates4Mates – mates4mates.org.au / 1300 4 MATES

• Soldier On – soldieron.org.au / 1300 620 380

• Lifeline – lifeline.org.au / 13 11 14

• 13YARN – 13yarn.org.au / 13 92 76

• Suicide Call Back Service – suicidecallbackservice.org.au / 1300 659 467

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