Important note: please be mindful and take care of yourself when reading this book - it contains quotes from interviews and submissions detailing people’s lived experiences. While many of the stories demonstrate great courage, tenacity and perseverance, they also contain details of traumatic experiences, including violence, sexual assault, bullying, suicidality and suicide. Many contain strong language and graphic descriptions and may be confronting and disturbing.

This trauma-informed book, authored by journalist, Patrick Lindsay, showcases the lived experience of suicide and suicidal behaviour of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their families. These experiences, which have been at the heart of the Royal Commission during its inquiries, were bravely and generously shared through submissions and evidence.

Collectively, they highlight complex cultural and systemic issues which are failing past and present service personnel and their families, while also recognising and paying tribute to people’s resilience, recovery and growth.

Together with the final report, the Commissioners hope the book will lead to greater understanding of the sacrifices made by those who defend our country – and their loved ones – and help to drive real and lasting change.

The book includes reading advice and icons throughout the stories to help readers manage any possible negative impacts of reading the book’s content, and features chapters about:

• Recruitment and early training
• Life in uniform
• Leadership and its impact
• Mental health battles
• Suicide and suicidality
• Families and loved ones
• From service to civilian life
• Ex-service organisations
• Dealing with the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
• Growth from trauma

The book also includes case studies of a small selection of inspiriting community organisations supporting veterans in different ways across Australia.