June 30, 2022
New stragegy for veterans’ mental health
Minister for Veterans Meka Whaitiri says the trauma and mamae many service people feel on returning home needs to be acknowledged.
Meka Whaitiri last night launched Te Arataki mō te Hauora Ngākau mō ngā Mōrehu a Tū me ō rātou Whānau, the Veterans, Family and Whānau Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy Framework.
She says veterans have needs that cannot be addressed through regular channels.
“What this report does, ring fence the trauma those who have suffered it and their families because families also see that, particularly on their return., and this is putting a spotlight on an issue that has been ongoing for a long time. It’s not something in the past,” she says.
Minister Whaitiri says key points include promoting health services to veterans who are not part of the veterans community, offering transitional services for people leaving the services and getting government agencies to work together more effectively to support them.