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A new research institute focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s defence personnel, veterans and emergency service members has officially opened in Adelaide.
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Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), a division of The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group, launched at an annual Remembrance Day Breakfast in the South Australian capital, attended by members of the veteran and emergency services community.
The institute, which is co-located at the Jamie Larcombe Centre in Glenside, SA, will focus on conducting research and developing programs that are co-designed, guided by and responsive to the immediate and long-term wellness needs of industry.
Trauma researcher and MESHA’s executive director, Dr Miranda Van Hooff, said the institute aims to play a key role in informing and improving policy across Australia.
“Our institute has a unique focus on collaboration, bringing together both research partners and industry stakeholders to help drive our robust and interdisciplinary research portfolio as well as the development, evaluation and delivery of innovative programs and models of care,” Dr Van Hooff said.
“We adopt a person-centred approach to both research and program delivery for military and emergency services personnel, prioritising the needs, preferences and experiences of our service members and their families to guide all that we do.”
She continued: “We believe in a holistic approach to mental health acknowledging that symptom reduction is only part of the story.
“Our aim is to empower all service personnel and their families to be able to live fulfilling, meaningful lives regardless of their past experiences.”
Dr Van Hooff added that the institute would also provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and training in the prevalence, risk factors and innovative interventions for mental health issues among service personnel and their families.
MESHA’s launch was supported by a number of sponsors, including Babcock Australasia, whose CFO and chair of its Corporate Social Responsibility and Sponsorship (CSRS) Committee, Andrew Cridland, noted the shared values between the organisations.
“As a defence, aviation and critical services company, Babcock values the research that will be conducted by MESHA to preserve the health and wellbeing of veterans, reservists, emergency services personnel and police,” he said.
“Babcock is proud to have sponsored the speaking panel through our CSRS Committee and is committed to supporting the veteran and emergency services community.”
MESHA was formerly known as Road Home, established five years ago following THRF Group’s consolidation of The Repat Foundation in response to the South Australian government’s announcement of the formal closure of the Repatriation General Hospital.
[Related: Director General appointed to new veterans support authority]
