SUPPORT FOR VETERANS

Samaritans has launched an app to support the mental health of British military veterans, aimed at helping them manage the emotional challenges of leaving the Armed Forces. The free app comes on the back of joint research the leading suicide prevention charity, carried out with the Royal British Legion, which found veterans wanted to understand more about their emotional wellbeing and to hear from people with similar experiences. Those leaving the military, and former Armed Forces personnel, can access emotional health and wellbeing information, videos, exercises, podcasts, and create wellbeing to-do lists.

Navy veteran Liam, who used Samaritans for support when he was struggling with suicidal thoughts, thinks the app could be invaluable for fellow veterans:

“I left the navy in June, so I’m just getting to grips with the adjustment of a different pace of life. The support resources in the app are great and I like that you can do daily check-ins to help manage your moods. Anything that can help you to get on with the everyday things is so useful when you have just left a familiar routine. To anyone feeling low, don’t be afraid to ask for help and confide. You don’t need to carry the weight of stress on your own.”