Royal Commission into Defence & Veteran Suicide

As a national organisation, BUA has the ability to action the following 19 recommendations from the 2024 Royal Commission.

Recommendation 5: Support all serving members to decompress, rest and reintegrate, especially after high-risk experiences

BUA provides hundreds of evidence-based decompression events across Australia every year. These include fitness, breath-work, hot-cold and outdoor activities such as hiking.

Recommendation 8: Maximise workforce retention by addressing factors that contribute to voluntary separation

BUA is committed to serving current Defence people to promoting the Thrive principles to underlying factors of voluntary seperation such as burnout, fatigue and psychosocial stress are addressed proactively. Great retention is a bi-product of happy, healthy staff who are well-valued and accountable for high performance.

Recommendation 62: Establish a research translation centre for defence and veteran health care

BUA is committed to understanding ‘what works’ to promote optimal health and wellbeing for Australia’s Defence members and Veterans. By building a stronger knowledge of our members’ service journey, BUA can proactively instill evidence-backed protective factors.

Recommendation 63: Reduce stigma and remove structural and cultural barriers to help seeking

BUA works to promote a culture where seeking help proactively is seen as a strength, not a weakness. As an organisation with an endless number of trusted partners, BUA is well placed to professionally refer individuals to experts in their field.

Recommendation 66: Where possible, support injured members to be rehabilitated at work, within their home unit

BUA recognises that people may turn up to events in different stages of their journey. We cater for this by offering different physical and mental options. BUA can be used more effectively as part of the rehabilitation and transition process.

Recommendation 81: The Department of Veterans’ Affairs to fund a program to support members’ wellbeing during transition to civilian life

BUA provides quality social connection for those moving from service to civilian life. Easing the transition process by connecting new veterans to those with lived experience, provides context and reasurance . As a national organisation, interstate movement can easily be overcome.

7. Purpose

Veterans and first responders who have a strong sense of purpose—knowing their skills matter and others rely on them—experience real health benefits. Purpose doesn’t just help you feel more motivated; it lowers the risk of mental illness, improves physical functioning, and even protects against long-term disability (Fischer et al., 2022; Mota et al., 2016).

Key Benefits:

  • Stronger mental health: High purpose was linked to 42–94% lower odds of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use (Fischer et al., 2022).

  • Better physical health: Veterans with higher purpose reported less pain, better mobility, and fewer sleep or cognitive problems (Fischer et al., 2023; Mota et al., 2016).

  • Resilience and growth: Purpose helped veterans bounce back from trauma and experience post-traumatic growth (Tsai et al., 2014).

8. Reflective

Veterans and first responders feel and function better when they take time to reflect with others. Whether it’s in a structured debrief, peer-led group, or a support network, making space to share and receive feedback leads to less anxiety, less depression, and a stronger sense of connection (Bird, 2015; Al Tarabeen, 2017).

Key Benefits:

  • Better mental health: Peer-based debriefing and reflection significantly reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress—results that lasted months after the program (Bird, 2015).

  • Improved confidence and life satisfaction: Reflective group support improved self-efficacy, satisfaction with life, and even family and work relationships (Bird, 2015; Al Tarabeen, 2017).

  • Safe space for growth: Shared identity in peer groups made it easier to talk openly, process trauma, and move toward healing (Donovan, 2022).

9. Resilient

Veterans and first responders who learn to lean into short-term stress—rather than avoid or fight it—come out stronger. Mindset traits like psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and self-compassion are shown to help reduce PTSD, depression, and even disability over time (Elliott et al., 2019; Meyer et al., 2019).

Key Benefits:

  • Better mental health: Psychological flexibility helped veterans recover from PTSD and depression, even after brain injury or trauma (Meyer et al., 2019b; Elliott et al., 2015).

  • Improved quality of life: Mindfulness and self-compassion led to lower disability and better daily functioning over the long term (Meyer et al., 2018).

  • Long-term growth through short-term challenge: Facing hard moments head-on predicted better mental health outcomes and stronger resilience later on (Russell et al., 2019).

10. Master of Tech

Digital tools can either support your wellbeing or quietly wreck it. New research shows that when veterans and first responders use technology intentionally—through apps, wearables, and online programs—it can significantly improve sleep, reduce stress, and help manage PTSD and depression (Kahn et al., 2016; Stephan et al., 2020).

Key Benefits:

  • Improved mental health: Apps like Mission Reconnect and smartwatch programs led to major drops in PTSD and depression symptoms (Kahn et al., 2016; Stephan et al., 2020).

  • Better sleep: Digital programs like CBT-i Coach and SleepSync helped users fall asleep faster and wake up more refreshed (Reilly et al., 2018; Varma et al., 2024).

  • Built-in support: Text messages, smart reminders, and social platforms kept users engaged and helped them stick with healthy routines (McKeon et al., 2021; Obuobi-Donkor et al., 2021).