Health fight for veterans

A NEW service offers mental-health support for ex-military personnel in the North-West.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has organised the Military Veterans’ Service to provide mental-health support to veterans of the British armed forces and their immediate family.

The scheme has been commissioned by the Strategic Health Authority as part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme and in response to Fighting Fit, a government report which recommends steps to improve access to mental health services for veterans. It’s the first IAPT service for veterans in the country and the first time Pennine Care has provided a service across the region.

Based near Manchester, Pennine Care is a proven provider of mental health and community services, providing care to 1.1 million.

Veterans’ mental-health charity Combat Stress says 85 per cent of veterans are too embarrassed to admit to depression or anxiety, while one in three fail to tell their families.

Dr Alan Barrett, principal clinical psychologist and clinical lead for the service, said: “Some veterans find it hard to adjust to a lifestyle where they are faced with new responsibilities and required to make their own decisions.

“This can create stress and worry, which over time can lead to longer-term psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, anger and drug and alcohol misuse.”

Veterans and their families can choose to refer themselves to the service, or they can enquire about a referral by speaking to their local health professional.

For more information visit www.penninecare.nhs.uk/military-veterans or call 0161 253 6638.