IMPACT REPORT
A message from our founder
COMPAS continues to grow across Australia, with a shared goal of reaching students before crisis point. Through collaboration with universities and mental health professionals, our team continues to refine screening tools, strengthen support pathways, and contribute to suicide prevention research and practice.
A year of shared impact
In 2024–2025, COMPAS expanded implementation across partner universities, trained more clinical psychology trainees, and supported thousands of students through early intervention. Our collective impact reflects collaboration, compassion, and evidence-based innovation in mental health care.
IMPACT SNAPSHOT
Students screened for early support
Clinical trainees gaining experience
Universities actively delivering COMPAS
Implemented Universities
MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT
Creating safer, more connected campuses through proactive screening and early support.
MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT
Creating safer, more connected campuses through proactive screening and early support.
The COMPAS Impact
Students Screened
Universities Involved
Clinical Trainees Supported
Awards Received
IMPACT REPORT
A message from our founder
An impact report is a way for organisations to communicate the issues they are trying to improve, as well as their strategy on how they facilitated change. It measures the impact the program has made in people’s lives, focusing on their social or wellbeing outcomes.
A year with unique challenges
Impact reports cater to a variety of audiences, so it’s best to adjust your tone accordingly. Identify your target readers and tailor your focus on what they need to know. For example, student wellbeing partners may be interested in stories of resilience and community connection.
IMPACT SNAPSHOT
Readers appreciate accurate information
Readers appreciate relevant data
Readers value clear communication
The COMPAS Impact
Students Screened
Universities Involved
Clinical Trainees Supported
Awards Received
Partner Universities
MENTAL HEALTH PREVALENCE REPORT
Understanding the prevalence of common mental health concerns across student populations.
Across Australian universities, anxiety and depression remain the most reported concerns, with increasing awareness and help-seeking behaviours among students participating in COMPAS outreach.
MENTAL HEALTH PREVALENCE REPORT
Explore prevalence rates by gender among university students.
Click a gender to explore specific mental health trends across student populations. The data below shows simulated averages drawn from COMPAS research insights.
ADF & Veteran Mental Health Strategy
Key recommendations for the 2024-2029 Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The Crisis We Must Address
The data reveals a critical mental health crisis concentrated in the ex-serving ADF population. Our strategy is built to target these three key findings.
A Three-Pillar Strategy
To close this gap, mitigate risk, and stabilize post-service lives, we propose three core pillars of action.
Proactive Intervention
Engage members *before* separation and *before* a crisis occurs.
High-Risk Specialization
Dedicate resources to the most vulnerable sub-groups.
Socioeconomic Stabilization
Integrate clinical care with robust financial and social support.
Pillar 1: Proactive Intervention
The primary goal is to close the 60% non-presentation gap by making engagement mandatory, confidential, and supportive, especially for those at highest risk.
PROBLEM: The 60% Engagement Gap
60% of members who attempted suicide had not presented to the Defence Health System, often due to fear of career impact or stigma.
Rec 1.1: Mandatory, Staged Mental Health Triage (MSMT)
Implement a mandatory, staged, and independent screening process beginning 18 months prior to discharge and continuing 12 months post-transition.
ACTION: Independent, Confidential Support
The MSMT must be conducted *outside* the traditional Defence Health System to remove stigma and normalize seeking help.
PROBLEM: Involuntary Separation Risk
The suicide rate for males separated for medical reasons (67.1 per 100,000) is over 3x higher than voluntary separation (21.5 per 100,000).
Rec 1.2: Specialized Involuntary Separation Protocol
Create a dedicated, non-punitive, and fully funded support pathway for all medically separated personnel.
ACTION: Mandated Care & Case Management
This pathway must include 12 months of mandatory psychological counseling and immediate allocation to a DVA case manager *before* the final separation date.
Pillar 2: High-Risk Cohort Specialization
Tailored resources must be dedicated to the sub-groups where data shows risk is disproportionately magnified.
Rec 2.1: Targeted Strategy for Ex-Serving Females
With a suicide rate 2.15x higher than Australian females, this cohort requires a distinct strategy, especially for the 16-29 age group.
ACTION: Female-Specific Hubs
Launch physical and virtual support hubs led and staffed by female veteran peers and clinicians to foster trust and focus on key drivers like Anxiety Disorders (37.0% prevalence).
Rec 2.2: Youth Veteran Rapid Response Unit
Suicide risk for ex-serving males aged 17-24 is over 4x higher than for older cohorts (45-80).
ACTION: Digital-First Outreach
Establish a dedicated unit within DVA using digital outreach (non-traditional channels) to offer immediate peer support and crisis services tailored to younger communication styles.
Pillar 3: Post-Service Socioeconomic Stabilization
Data shows a profound correlation between socioeconomic distress and suicide risk. Clinical care must be integrated with financial and social support.
Rec 3.1: Enhanced Financial & Employment Support
Income disparity is stark: suicide risk is 7x higher for those earning $200-$599/week vs. $1,500+.
ACTION: Employment Guarantee Program
Implement rapid re-skilling and employment guarantee programs, prioritizing involuntarily separated veterans and those in high-risk financial brackets for immediate, well-paying pathways.
Rec 3.2: Social Reintegration & Relationship Support
Suicide risk is 4x higher for ex-serving males who are widowed, divorced, separated, or never married.
ACTION: Fund Community & Family Support
Provide subsidized, veteran-specific couples/family counseling. Fund community reintegration programs and peer networks to combat social isolation and strengthen protective factors.