A 21-year-old army private took his own life because he felt trapped after being singled out and repeatedly bullied and belittled by defence leadership, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been told.
Daniel Garforth died on November 20, 2014, in Darwin.
His mother, Nikki Jamieson, was the first person to give evidence at public hearings of the royal commission in Brisbane this morning.
She spoke with her son's photo and slouch hat in front of her.
"I'd just like to say that as everyone looks forward to Christmas, we don't get to do that anymore," she said.
Her lip trembled as she paused before regaining her composure, telling the hearing that her son had endured endless torment and ridicule by his chain of command and felt that no-one had his back.
The royal commission was told Mr Garforth reported the behaviour to three people but was betrayed and threatened with charges.
Ms Jamieson said her son became fearful, his hygiene standards declined, he withdrew from friends, had emotional outbursts and was at one point described as being "catatonic".
"He told people he was not coping with work. He told people he was fearful of going to work," she said.
But she said no-one from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) informed her as next of kin that his mental health was declining.
"Had I had a hint from Defence that he was struggling, I would have been on the next plane," she said.
Ms Jamieson told the commission her son had applied for a discharge and thought he would be coming home for Christmas in 2014, but then it was cancelled.
"He was looking forward to leaving, but something happened to stop that process. He should have been able to take your leave and go — which other employer forces you to stay in a position you don't want to be in?"
Ms Jamieson described her son growing up as a "cheeky chap, very much the class clown" and someone who was "loyal to the core".
Son's laptop never returned, commission told
Mr Garforth was incredibly excited to be accepted into the ADF when he was 19, his mother told the commission.
She said it was his dream and he thought it would be a secure future to support his newborn daughter.
She said after training at Kapooka, in the New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga, he was moved to Darwin, "and it was here that his mental health went into decline and where he ultimately passed".
Ms Jamieson said it took four years before she received a report on her son's death and that the report had a defensive tone and was heavily redacted.
She said her son's phone was wiped before it was returned to her and his laptop had never been returned, despite her requests.
Ms Jamieson said there was a disconnect between policy and practice within the ADF, and significant change was needed.
She said ADF members needed to have the stigma of mental health problems removed so they felt free to seek help without fear of reprisal.
Ms Jamieson also said the ADF needed greater accountability and transparency so people in leadership positions are held accountable for their actions.
She suggested the introduction of "circuit breakers" so that anyone struggling with mental health issues could be identified and dealt with urgently.
She said families needed to be kept aware of their loved ones' mental states.
Since her son's death, Ms Jamieson has dedicated herself to helping with suicide prevention, particularly in the defence forces.
She was one of the key people pushing for the royal commission and has become an expert in moral trauma, with her PhD to be awarded in two weeks.
On Monday, Ms Jamieson gave evidence as a mother, but on Thursday she will speak to the commission as an expert.
She summed up with several powerful statements.
"We are the mothers and fathers [who] have created and raised these beautiful human beings who dedicated their lives to Australia, yet we are the ones who are often left out of the conversation regarding our own children's health, wellbeing and support. This needs to change."
'Your voices need to be heard'
The royal commission was established on July 8 to acknowledge the high rate of defence and veteran deaths by suicide.
Through public and private hearings as well as written submissions, it is looking at risk factors, the availability of support services and considering whether systemic issues or culture within the ADF may have contributed to deaths by suicide and poor mental health outcomes for members.
Counsel assisting the commission, Kevin Connor SC, appealed for people with "lived experience" to come forward — including veterans, defence members and people who have lost loved ones or care for those who are enduring difficulties.
"Your voices need to be heard. Your story will throw light upon the systemic issues as a whole," he said.
Counselling services will be made available for those who need them.
The commission heard that the fourth annual report on suicide among ADF members, released in September by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), found that between 2001 and 2019 there were 1,273 certified deaths by suicide by men and women with at least one day of ADF service since January 1, 1985.
"We consider that it is likely that there has an underestimation of the number of deaths by suicide of defence members and veterans," Mr Connor said.
He said the experiences of women in the ADF required specific attention.
Counsel assisting Peter Gray QC told the commission that age-specific suicide rates for ex-serving males and females were "higher than the Australian population for all age groups under 50".
"For those under 30, the suicide rate was three times higher for ex-serving females and almost twice as high for ex-serving males," Mr Gray said.
Mr Connor acknowledged that while the work had just begun, the royal commission needed to act quickly, but that the solutions would not be simple.
"We recognise that there are many issues and that many of them are complex, challenging and personal," he said.
Public hearings will continue in Brisbane until December 10.
More sessions will take place in Sydney in February and March next year, followed by hearings in Wagga Wagga, Townsville and Canberra.
An interim report is due by August 11 next year and a final report by June 15, 2023.
