The Elevate Study

Did you participate in the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme (the Programme) in 2015?

This research program was a comprehensive study undertaken in Australia to examine the impact of military service on the mental, physical, and social health of current and ex-serving ADF members and their families. We are currently undertaking the Elevate Study to follow up a cohort of individuals who participated in the Programme and registered high levels of mental health symptoms and/or distress. Elevate hopes to understand the current health and wellbeing of this group, along with health service usage and satisfaction.

Am I eligible?

If you participated in the Programme, and registered high levels of mental health symptoms and/or distress at that time, you may be eligible to participate. All eligible participants will receive a text message and/or email invitation during July or August. If you haven’t received an invitation and are interested in learning more about the eligibility criteria, you can register your interest by contacting our research team at phoenix-research@unimelb.edu.au.

What does the study involve?

If you are eligible and choose to participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey, which will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Questions in the survey will ask about your use of health and wellbeing services, potential barriers to accessing these services; recent life events; sociodemographic factors (e.g., housing and financial status); and mental health symptoms.

As part of the Elevate Study, we are also completing interviews which will be conducted over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or telephone and will take approximately 60 minutes. During these interviews, researchers are interested in hearing about your experience with accessing services for your health and wellbeing and hearing your perspective on how health services could improve.

Elevate has been approved by DDVA HREC (Protocol Number 491-23).