The military and veterans community represents a proud population with a unique history of service to our country in austere and often traumatic environments. However, the respect afforded on the battlefield does not readily translate into appropriate service delivery when it comes to psychiatric support in the post-service environment. Current public funding has yet to demonstrate a strategic solution addressing the workforce and clinical nuances specifically needed for this priority group.

This presentation provides an overview of the existing workforce and clinical gaps in veterans' mental health services, and offers a compelling example of clinical innovation. Dr Alexander YC Lim will discuss how collaboration between clinicians and administrative officers from both public and private sectors achieved stakeholder buy-in, successful pilot implementation, and ongoing post-pilot funding with government support.

The program featured in this presentation - the Revive Ketamine Program - remains the first and only comprehensive next-step psychiatry program for military personnel and veterans in Australasia.

This discussion offers a replicable systems framework for others working toward the common good of serving those who have served.

Three Key Learnings:
1. Know the common language between stakeholders
Utilise PICO (Population, Intervention, Cost, Outcomes) framework.
Aphorism: The Soldier's Five

2. Anticipate barriers across all camps
Address individual risks (reputational and professional) and organisational risks.
Aphorism: Ivory towers and self-licking ice-creams

3. Working with government
Navigate acronyms, brief appointments, and vested interests effectively.
Aphorism: What interests my boss fascinates me