Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health Second Opinion Clinic – first ten years of operation

Abstract

Objectives: The aim is to report the operation of the Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health (ADFCMH) Second Opinion Clinic (SOC) after its first 10 years of operation. Method: Demographic data and clinical data were recorded and analysed for all Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel (n=209) seen at the clinic from 2011 to 2021. Results: Assessment at the clinic led to a change in diagnosis from that given at the time of referral in 40.7% (n=85) of members seen. Of the total members assessed at the SOC, 55.9% (n=117) had been on an at least one operational deployment. Mood disorders were the most common mental disorders seen among personnel at the SOC. Conclusions: The ADFCMH SOC is a valuable clinical resource supporting ADF health services nationally and provides an example of an effective mental health tertiary referral service.