Funding for vets’ mental health needs

To mark the centenary of the First World War Armistice, the government is doubling the amount of money going to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust this year – with £10 million used to support veterans with mental health needs.

The windfall will fund a new phone outreach service plus a support group for the family of veterans who have taken their own lives.

To mark the centenary of the First World War Armistice, the government is doubling the amount of money going to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust this year.

Of that, £10 million will be used to support veterans with mental health needs not addressed by current services.

Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, said the windfall would fund a new phone outreach service plus a support group for the family of veterans who have taken their own lives.

Charities working to improve the mental health of former servicemen and women can bid for funding.

Devon MP Johnny Mercer, who has campaigned for better care for veterans since he was elected in 2015, welcomed the new money, and said: “A lot of people have campaigned for this.” But he added: “To solve this is going to require more than money.”

Mr Mercer, Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, said veterans needs a “common needs assessment”, so they only have to tell their story once, at the beginning of the process.

“There are elements where, because we haven’t engaged properly, there are quite significant misunderstandings about what constitutes service-related mental health issues,” he said.

Not all of those who believe they have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) actually suffered from the condition. “My concern is to get people better, and services for PTSD sufferers are too over- loaded to cope.”

Mr Mercer said that while suicide was a significant problem, veterans were less likely to take their own lives than their civilian peers. “Every single case is a tragedy,” he said. “Where that is related to people’s time in service, each one is a mark against us in the fight to improve veterans’ care.

“I have made it clear at every opportunity that this situation needs to improve. It is improving faster than it ever has, but there are still some serious challenges.”

Mr Mercer said there was no evidence that ex-services people are more likely to be homeless, “but each one is a tragedy”. “There are people in Plymouth who work night and day to make sure vet- erans don’t sleep on the streets. Nobody in Plymouth is forced to sleep rough through lack of provision. There are other factors involved.

The Convenant Trust Fund gave ten grants in 2017/18 to SW groups, including £20,000 to Farm-Ability for sessions for people with PTSD and other mental health conditions; and £16,575 for Cornwall’s Regimental Museum “Hearing Voices: The Light Infantry” project.

‘It is improving faster than ever, but there are still some serious challenges’

Johnny Mercer MP

At a time when we are paying tribute to the contribution of Armed Forces personnel, it is entirely appropriate that we remember that sacrifice is not something that just happened in decades past, but is ongoing to this day.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice, our minds have naturally turned to the sacrifice of those who lost their lives or family members in the Great War.

But although WWI is taking the limelight because of the significant anniversary, we should not neglect the contribution and sacrifice of those affected by other conflicts.

That may be those who have served since 1918, including their families, as well as those who are still serving today.

So the news that more money will be used to support veterans with mental health needs is well timed.

Around £10m is to be used to support veterans with mental health needs not addressed by current services, as part of a doubling of the amount of money going to be Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

A new phone outreach service to be set up, while there will also be a support group set up for the families of veterans who have taken their own lives.

But, as Plymouth Moor View MP Johnny Mercer has said, it is an issue which will take more than money to solve.

Greater understanding of the issues and challenges faced by Armed Forces veterans – as well as their families – is crucial to making progress on what is often an under-reported matter.

Putting into place common-sense measures – for example ensuring sufferers only have to tell their story once – is as important as the funding which has been pledged.

Simply labelling veterans with a condition – such as post-traumatic stress disorder – is not the answer to their mental health needs.

While we go to great lengths to honour the sacrifice of those who have long since passed, remembrance is also about thinking about what we can do to support those affected by more recent conflicts.

Though the numbers of those affected by modernday wars pale in comparison with the two World Wars, that should not lessen the support we can offer to those who are still prepared to lay down their lives for our safety.

When November 11 has passed, and the wearing of poppies is not so prevalent, let us not forget that there are those who still need our support, our understanding, and our effort.