Sadly, in some circumstances, our inquiry has heard the intervening years from training to grave are all too short.

Sobering statistics from the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare confirm that nine veterans have died by suicide this year. In 2021, there were 59. The year before, 49 lives were cut short. Every death leaves an indelible mark on families, colleagues and friends.

Accounts from people with lived experience of unacceptable culture and behaviours are shining a light on the impact of trauma. At our most recent hearing, Witness SY5 said: "I did my job, but the institution didn't do theirs. The ADF harmed me in a way I never thought they could. They shattered my core beliefs about human nature, behaved in unspeakable ways and they simply didn't uphold their duty of care".

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has heard numerous accounts of hopes and dreams curtailed as the impact of bullying, sexual harassment and assault and mental health challenges collides with a regimented and hierarchical military culture. As my fellow commissioners and I prepare for the hearings in Canberra, the gravity of our investigation has fallen into sharp relief. These incidents are not confined to the past. As the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan acknowledged: "... there are behaviours that occur from time to time still today that we are not happy with, not proud of".

Air Force Chief Air Marshall Mel Hupfeld added: "I think there are still people that potentially ... are not able to fully understand how to practice our values with an aspiration to live by them."

The inquiry has not yet heard how many serving members have died by suicide in recent years. But we have heard evidence that, on average, 39 serving ADF members with suicidal ideation are being managed by Joint Health Command at any one time. Another 27 have been identified as having made a suicide attempt.

Still, we know that many serving members fear speaking out or seeking assistance outside their chain of command and believe that by doing so, they could jeopardise their careers. That is not to say there's a vacuum when it comes to efforts to improve the lives of serving members.

Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr told the commission he was trying to create "an environment where people can comfortably put their hand up, seek assistance and not be disadvantaged as a result of reaching out for help".

The army chief acknowledged there were "real or perceived barriers or impediments" to some soldiers, sailors and airmen and women seeking help.

As Nikki Jamieson said of her son Daniel Garforth, who took his own life in 2014: "Suicide is the endgame. Suicide happens when the situation needs to change but people cannot see the opportunities for change. They feel trapped. They don't feel like they've got another option, and that was the case for Daniel".

The tragedy of Defence and veteran suicide doesn't start with a decision to end one's life. The commission is seeking to understand the risks at every stage of Defence careers. Our message to serving members is clear: You can provide insights civilians and other veterans may never experience. If your wellbeing or that of your colleagues is diminished by military service - we want to hear from you.

The commission is independent of government and the ADF and support is available if you want to make a submission or apply for a private session to talk to a commissioner. Making a contribution does not have to involve a public hearing, like the one we're embarking on in Canberra.

Every story matters. Every contribution will inform our interim and final reports, and ultimately our recommendations. This is a very real opportunity for change. Our mission is to protect the people who defend Australia.