Mental Health Advice Book
for practitioners helping veterans with common mental health problems
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose of this book
1.2 How to use this book
1.3 Evidence for the advice in this book
1.4 Limitations of this book
Part 1 Background to the veteran community and their common mental health problems
2 Understanding the veteran experience
2.1 Australian veterans
2.2 Veterans' common mental health problems
2.3 Impact of military service
2.3.1 Military as family
2.3.2 Standards and expectations
2.3.3 Exposure to inhumanity
2.3.4 Entitlement
2.3.5 Community attitudes
2.4 First impressions and relationship building
2.5 Veteran case studies
2.5.1 Greg: Vietnam veteran
2.5.2 Adam: medically discharged army private
2.5.3 Frank: World War II veteran
2.5.4 Jason: recent veteran
2.5.5 Deborah: recent veteran
3 Assessment of mental health problems
3.1 Mental health assessments in primary care settings
3.1.1 Consultation length
3.1.2 Diagnosis and risk assessment
3.1.3 Social and environmental factors
3.1.4 Assessment tools
3.2 Initial screening for distress - K10
3.3 Screening for specific disorders
3.3.1 Depression
3.3.2 Risk of self harm/suicide
3.3.3 Risk of harm to others
3.3.4 Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
3.3.5 Panic disorder
3.3.6 Social phobia
3.3.7 Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
3.3.8 Somatoform disorders
3.3.9 Tobacco
3.3.10 Alcohol
3.3.11 Gambling
3.3.12 Prescribed medication
3.3.13 Results of screening
3.4 Co-existing conditions
3.5 Treatment planning: involve the veteran, family and other service providers
and focus on rehabilitation
Part 2 Screening, assessment and treatment of the common mental health problems of veterans
4 Comprehensive assessment of specific mental health problems
Comprehensive assessment of specific mental health problems
5 Depression and dysthymia
5.1 About depression and dysthymia
5.2 Screening and assessment
5.2.1 Risk of self harm/suicide
5.2.2 Risk of harm to others
5.3 Education and advice
5.4 Treatment
5.4.1 Psychological interventions
5.4.2 Pharmacological interventions
5.4.3 Other medical interventions
5.4.4 Treatment setting and duration
5.5 Rehabilitation services
6 Anxiety disorders
6.1 About anxiety disorders
6.2 Posttraumatic stress disorder
6.2.1 About posttraumatic stress disorder
6.2.2 Screening and assessment
6.2.3 Education and advice
6.2.4 Treatment
6.2.5 Rehabilitation
6.3 Panic disorder and agoraphobia
6.3.1 About panic disorder and agoraphobia
6.3.2 Screening and assessment
6.3.3 Education and advice
6.3.4 Treatment
6.3.5 Rehabilitation
6.4 Generalised anxiety disorder
6.4.1 About generalised anxiety disorder
6.4.2 Screening and assessment
6.4.3 Education and advice
6.4.4 Treatment
6.4.5 Rehabilitation
6.5 Social phobia
6.5.1 About social phobia
6.5.2 Screening and assessment
6.5.3 Education and advice
6.5.4 Treatment
6.5.5 Rehabilitation
7 Somatoform disorders
7.1 About somatoform disorders
7.2 Screening and assessment
7.3 Education and advice
7.4 Treatment
7.4.1 Psychological interventions
7.4.2 Pain management programs
7.4.3 Pharmacological interventions
7.4.4 Treatment setting and duration
7.5 Rehabilitation
8 Substance use disorders
8.1 Smoking
8.1.1 About smoking
8.1.2 Screening and assessment
8.1.3 Education and advice
8.1.4 Treatment
8.1.5 Resources
8.2 Alcohol
8.2.1 About alcohol
8.2.2 Screening and assessment
8.2.3 Education and advice
8.2.4 Treatment
8.2.5 Resources
9 Associated complaints
9.1 Problematic anger
9.1.1 About problematic anger
9.1.2 Screening and assessment
9.1.3 Education and advice
9.1.4 Treatment
9.1.5 Resources
9.2 Insomnia
9.2.1 About Insomnia
9.2.2 Screening and assessment
9.2.3 Education and advice
9.2.4 Treatment
9.3 Gambling
9.3.1 Resources on gambling
10 Comorbidity and the focus of treatment
10.1 Principles
10.2 Depression and high-risk alcohol use
10.3 Posttraumatic stress disorder and high-risk alcohol use
10.4 Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and high-risk alcohol use
10.5 Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and panic disorder and/or
generalised anxiety disorder
10.6 Moderate to severe depression and panic disorder and/or generalised
anxiety disorder
Appendices
Appendix A Assessment and treatment chart
Appendix B Overview of interventions for the clusters of mental health problems
Appendix C Key components for assessment and treatment of veterans' mental
health problems
Appendix D Education script outline
Appendix E Self-monitoring sheets
Appendix F Daily activity schedule
Appendix G Pleasant events schedule
Appendix H Progressive muscle relaxation
Appendix I Breathing retraining instructions
Appendix J Where veterans can get more help
Appendix K Reply paid feedback form
Download a copy of the Mental Health Advice Book here 
Mental Health Advice Book - July 2007 (1004KB)