'They deserted him': Veterans' department accused of contributing to digger's suicide
7 years, 8 months ago

'They deserted him': Veterans' department accused of contributing to digger's suicide

ABC  

The family of an army veteran who killed himself believes the rejection of his compensation claim by the Department of Veterans' Affairs pushed him to take his own life. Email 7.30@abc.net.au 'It's going to take monumental change' A picture of Jesse Bird sits next to his medals on his coffin There is growing concern about the high rates of suicide in the veteran community. Submission to Senate inquiry led nowhere Karen and John Bird at a memorial for Jesse In November last year the Bird family became so worried about the impact of the DVA claims process on Jesse they wrote a submission to a Senate inquiry into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel, pleading for help. Their worst fears were confirmed in May, when the Department of Veterans' Affairs declined Jesse Bird's claim for permanent impairment. In a statement he said: "I have asked for a review by both Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs of the handling of Jesse Bird's discharge and case management.

Family Suicide Veterans Claims Bird Senate Department Karen Jesse Ptsd Dva Affairs Veteran Accepted Jesse Bird Permanent Impairment Karen Bird John Bird  accepted  claims  veterans  jesse  family  bird  suicide  diggers  accused  deserted  affairs  department  contributing  dva  veteran

History of this topic

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide calls for end to claims backlog, shares 'dismay' at 'limited' government action
2 years, 7 months ago

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide calls for end to claims backlog, shares 'dismay' at 'limited' government action

ABC  

Urgent action needs to be taken to eliminate the "unacceptable" backlog of veterans' compensation claims, with almost 42,000 awaiting processing at the end of May, a royal commission has warned, saying the situation may lead to suicides. Key points: Thirteen recommendations have been made in the interim report, with five of them focusing on the DVA's claims process and staffing …

Jesse Bird: Department of Veterans' Affairs failed suicidal veteran, inquiry finds
7 years, 5 months ago

Jesse Bird: Department of Veterans' Affairs failed suicidal veteran, inquiry finds

ABC  

An official inquiry into the treatment of army veteran Jesse Bird has found there were significant failures by the Department of Veterans' Affairs that increased his risk factors and that urgent changes are needed to protect other vulnerable veterans. They found six key points of concern: DVA failed to comply with legislation and policy when it didn't register Jesse Bird's …

Jesse Bird warned Veterans' Affairs he could become suicide statistic days before his death
7 years, 7 months ago

Jesse Bird warned Veterans' Affairs he could become suicide statistic days before his death

ABC  

Combat veteran Jesse Bird pleaded with the Department of Veterans' Affairs to urgently help him, warning he was suicidal just days before his death, according to official records. "We just couldn't believe that he had pleaded for help like he did because, you know, for Jesse to plead for help, and he mentioned the suicide aspect, Jesse didn't do that," …

Discover Related