This article contains references to suicide.
An ADF sniper who took his own life told his family he "chased crocodiles" because he wanted them to eat him after returning from Afghanistan with PTSD, a royal commission has been told.
The commission in Sydney is this week looking at urgent issues contributing to suicide among the ADF community, such as negative experiences with the Veterans Affairs' Department and long wait times on compensation claims.
Bonny Perry, whose husband Andrew took his own life, told the inquiry that the former RAAF sniper came back "broken" from Afghanistan in 2013.
He only got a diagnosis of PTSD from the defence force eight months after his return.
Ms Perry said Andrew was sent to work at an armory three days a week after he came home but felt worthless and went "downhill rapidly" until his death in 2015.
He became hypervigilant, controlling, narcissistic, nervous and could not relax, while at other times he "slept for days".
"He lost the joy for life and everything became a job to him," she said.
He no longer cared about his safety, which led to him chasing crocodiles at a billabong because he wanted them to eat him, Ms Perry said.
"He was just doing all these risky things ... I don't know whether they were cries for help or he, at that stage, just really did want to go."
Ms Perry, who gave evidence alongside her daughter Kamaia Alexander, said the ADF missed many "red flags" before the veteran took his own life following eight suicide attempts.
She also said the family felt unsupported by defence and were sometimes so exhausted due to caring for Mr Perry that his stints in hospital were considered welcome breaks.
Counsel Assisting Peter Gray SC delivering his opening remarks Mon 14th February 2022. Source: AAP
"When they come back and everyone knows they're broken we should be supported," she said.
When she warned defence that Mr Perry was at risk of suicide, Ms Perry said she was ignored, with authorities telling her he was a "shit husband" and would not "do anything".
"I don't understand why an SMO (senior medical officer) has the right to discharge my husband ... I think my husband could be alive if that SMO did not discharge him from that hospital after seven hours," she said.
Ms Alexander said as a minor at the time her "voice was not very heard" at counselling sessions and she urged mental health professionals to better listen to children.
Children were often overlooked in counselling but had "books of knowledge" that could help in such cases, especially if they were given access to private sessions, she said.
Earlier, medical experts said a key to moving towards "zero suicide" in the military was to work with not just with serving members and veterans, but also defence communities.
Mainstream health care systems also needed to be better equipped to deal with veterans presenting at risk of suicide.
Later on Wednesday, the commission is expected to hear evidence from an anonymous Afghanistan veteran who was sexually assaulted on deployment.
The inquiry was sparked last year when Prime Minister Scott Morrison agreed to the probe into the long-running issue of ADF and veteran suicides.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Soldier On Australia on 1300 620 380 and Open Arms 1800 011 046.
