Operation Compass

Operation COMPASS has been established to support the ex-ADF members and their families to reduce the incidence of su***de and mental illness in the ex-ADF community and help make the transition from the ADF community to the Townsville community. There is serious problem with the disproportionately high incidence of su***de in the ex-ADF members community (comprising ex-ADF members and their famil

ies). Townsville Su***de Prevention Network was formed in early 2015 and commenced work on a Community Action Plan that was formally launched in Townsville in May 2017. In August 2016, the PM announced 12 trial sites for su***de prevention around Australia and specifically a site for ex-ADF and families in Townsville. The 12 Commonwealth Department of Health su***de prevention trial sites are required to adopt the Black Dog Institute LifeSpan model. Fortunately, the Townsville Su***de Prevention Network Community Action Plan (CAP) also utilises the same model. That model uses 9 Lifespan Strategies that provide a strong evidence based basis to build a community based solution to the problem. The Operation COMPASS Steering Committee is to formulate and establish a support capability for ex-ADF members and their families, by coordinating a community approach to the Black Dog Institute LifeSpan Systems Approach in coordination with the Townsville Su***de Prevention Network, in order to reduce the incidence of su***de and mental illness in the ex-ADF community and to help ex-ADF members and their families make the transition from being part of the ADF social-ecosystem to becoming and remaining productive members of civil society in Townsville. General Outline. A two-phased operation. Phase 1 is 'what must be done now focusing specifically on reducing su***de and attempts'. This phase most closely aligns with TSPN CAP and the aims of Project as publicly stated by Ministers. This Phase is about managing the crisis! Phase 2 is 'what must be done to make the solutions enduring and sustainable'. This means focussed more on the cause of the su***de problem than on the symptoms. This phase is more about dealing with the problem than managing the crisis and will involve a much longer campaign as it will involve systemic changes to the transition system including in DVA and Defence. Keeping the endstate in sight will enable the seizing of opportunity to accelerate its implementation, potentially out of sequence. It is unlikely to be completed by the 3 yr tenure of this Project, but could form the basis of an argument for an extension either by Health or more likely by DVA if showing significant success. Some action in support of Ph 2 will commence ex*****on during Ph 1.