An update from Combat Stress

Combat Stress’ CEO, Sue Freeth, has shared the charity’s latest plans relating to COVID-19 below.

We are following Government guidance and ensuring that we continue to run a safe and healthy service.

Veterans

Now more than ever, veterans with complex mental health problems needs our support. We are committed to safely supporting veterans as much as we can. All veterans who have been staying at one of our centres this week have now gone home and by the end of this week our centres will be closed until social distancing comes to an end and public transport returns to normal. This has been organised in consultation with the veterans and, where possible, we will carry on supporting them including providing psychiatry reviews, and therapy via phone and skype.Our remote support will also include our national Peer Support Network, and our Community work in Scotland and NI.

Our 24/7 Helpline operates on a robust and tested home based working system and will remain open for emotional and mental health support for veterans and their loved ones.

We will be posting helpful advice on social media and our website for veterans and their loved ones, worried about their mental health during this time.

Staff

We are following Government advice and are committed to ensuring Head Office functions including our research team continue to operate as much as normal on line and are enabling staff to work from home. We are forwarding office landlines, including our Press Office, to mobiles. Some of our staff may need to self-isolate and we are supporting them in anyway we can.

Our restructuring process continues and will be completed at the end of the first week of April at the latest. We will be operating within the new resized service model, and phasing this in, within the context of the above, hopefully being fully operational by the summertime.

We will keep you updated as the situation develops and any of the guidance above changes according to the latest information coming from Government.

Treatment centres

We’re following the Government’s advice and closing our treatment centres. All veterans receiving residential treatment will be leaving our treatment centres by the end of today once they can do so properly and safely. further support will be offered via phone and video call.

• Our therapists across the country are moving from face-to-face appointments to phone or video call appointments so veterans can continue to receive our specialist support.
• Our Peer Support Service continues as a virtual service via phone and video call.
• We host webinars to help and support partners – we plan for these to continue.
• We’re seeking ways to extend our Art Therapy online.
• Our 24-house Helpline remains open, providing confidential advice and support to veterans and their families.
• Any veteran currently receiving our support can also contact their usual clinical team member for more help and advice via their usual email address or telephone number.