Australia's Vietnam veterans: a review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vietnam veterans' war experiences have adversely affected their own mental health and that of one in 3 partners and one in 4-6 of their dependents, many of whom are reluctant to seek help.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the health problems suffered by families of Australia's Vietnam veterans and discusses what the future might hold for these families, what the implications might be for families of veterans of more recent conflicts, and how general practitioners and divisions of general practice might help.

DISCUSSION: Mental illness of veterans' dependents may increase their risk of cardiovascular and other physical diseases, and their children's risk of psychological problems. Caring for veterans as they age may further strain the mental health of one in 3-4 partners and jeopardise their role as grandparents. General practitioners can help by paying attention to the mental health of veterans and their dependents, working with the families, providing education and support, assessing the need for individual or family counselling, encouraging veterans' dependents to use universal or Department of Veterans' Affairs services, and building dependent's and grandchildren's resilience.