Veteran thanks vital support service

A former veteran and retired police officer who was so low he felt suicidal has thanked the Community Link Programme for changing his life.

Danielle Mcphilemy, a Stirling based Community Link worker, brought forward the case of a 53-year-old who sought help from NHS Forth Valley.

Speaking at Wednesday’s Integration Joint Board meeting, she said: “we have been seeing people since September for a multitude of reasons, be it emotional or financial, including issues around pensions and benefits.

“However, what we are seeing people most for are mental health issues, including stress, depression, isolation and anxiety.

“The veteran came to me with loneliness, depression, isolation and suicidal thoughts.”

“He said: I was feeling hopeless and worthless, with nothing to look forward to, my outlook was bleak. “When there was help, there were huge waiting lists which added to my sense of worthlessness.

“I went to an appointment with Dr Scott, she didn’t look at the screen but listened to me and handed me a leaflet for Danielle.

“Because I was understood, I went for it. I thought it was a tick box exercise but she was non-judgemental and said the right things at the right time.

“The first thing Danielle did was to get me to write a daily to-do list saying what I was thankful for and to help me find my self worth.

“My mood used to rule activities, now activities rule my mood.

“I have a sense of purpose which I have not felt in over a decade and I would absolutely recommend this service to someone else.”