ANZAC Day: A Time to Honour, Reflect and Support Mental Health for All Who Serve
- Shane Warren
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 9
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 April 2025
ANZAC Day: A Time to Honour, Reflect and Support Mental Health for All Who Serve
As Australians pause to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in times of war and peace, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) calls on the nation to also reflect on the enduring mental health impacts experienced by veterans and all service professionals.
ANZAC Day is a powerful national moment for remembrance, but also one for reflection on connection, community, and the shared responsibility of caring for our mental wellbeing, especially for those who have carried the weight of service.
“While we rightly honour their courage, we must also commit to caring for their minds,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA and mental health clinician with over three decades of experience.“Many veterans return not just with medals but with invisible wounds. A truly grateful nation not only remembers them but we must also support them through lifelong access to respectful, responsive, and ongoing mental health care.”
VMHPAA is calling for:
Improved mental health services tailored to veterans, defence personnel, and first responders
Funding for vocationally trained practitioners to deliver community-based mental health support
Recognition of the complex, cumulative impact of long-term service on psychological wellbeing
National action to reduce stigma around help-seeking in the service community
On this solemn day, VMHPAA encourages all Australians to participate in remembrance however they can through dawn services, family gatherings, moments of silence, or simple acts of connection.
🕊️ Lest we forget. And let us also not forget to care for our minds, and for each other.
About VMHPAA
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) is the peak body representing professionals with vocational qualifications working across the mental health sector. VMHPAA supports practitioners including counsellors, mental health coaches, peer workers, and wellness professionals who serve on the frontline of care across communities.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren
Chair
VMHPAA
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