Navy kept families of dead sailors ‘in the dark’ about previous suicide attempts

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Crew of frigate HMAS Newcastle embark at Garden Island Naval Base
‘What happens in the navy stays in the navy,’ says the father of a sailor who took his own life while on shore leave. Photograph: MediaServicesAP/Demotix/Corbis

The families of five young Australian navy sailors who killed themselves were not aware of their relatives’ drug habits or previous attempts on their lives because of the navy’s privacy policy, the ABC has reported.

“What happens in the navy stays in the navy,” Mark Addison, whose son Stuart took his life while on shore leave in 2011, told the ABC’s 7.30 program.

After Addison’s death, his family found out he had tried to kill himself twice before and been prescribed psychiatric medication. “They knew,” his sister Jessica Ames said. “And we weren’t told about it. We were kept in the dark.”

His friend Matt Henry, a former sailor who also attempted suicide, told the ABC about the drinking and drug-taking habits of sailors from the HMAS Sterling base in Western Australia. “Our group would drink all night,” he said. “It was a tradition.”

The sailors also took ice. “It was the drug of choice over in Western Australia,” Henry said.

The drug was usually supplied by other sailors. Henry said he believed his friends’ use of it had ruined their lives.

Another sailor, who doctors said should not have been sent to sea owing to chemical burns on his hands, was bullied by navy personnel, the ABC said. In late 2011 Brett Dwyer was discharged after saying he had used drugs, including ice. In May the next year he took his own life.

His family learnt of his problems only after his death.

Three other men took their lives in similar circumstances. Their families became aware of their mental health struggles and suicide attempts only after their funerals.

“They’re trying to sweep this issue under the carpet,” said Kenna Crichton, whose brother Ewan McDonald killed himself after three suicide attempts.

Revelations about the use of ice by defence force personnel showed the extent of the “epidemic”, Tony Abbott said on Wednesday. The prime minister said Defence was looking into claims about drug use and suicides in the navy, admitting more could be done to improve pastoral care.

While announcing a taskforce to combat the “dreadful scourge” of ice, Abbott said the fact defence personnel were using it showed the need for urgent action. Later he said Defence was taking the deaths very seriously.

“I think everyone who has a family member in the military can be confident that their people are being as well looked after as possible,” he said.

The navy had reviewed its privacy policy about suicide attempts but would not be making any changes, 7.30 reported.

Readers seeking support and information can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467