Combat Stress has been awarded a grant of £350,000 from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity to support the work it does to help veterans with mental health problems.
In the last decade, the veterans’ mental health charity has seen a 143% increase in referrals. Combat Stress research, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence all estimate a continued increase in the number of veterans seeking help for mental health issues.
Robert Marsh, Director Income Generation at Combat Stress said;
“We’re extremely grateful to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for supporting Combat Stress and veterans with mental health conditions.
“Each year we receive 2,000 referrals from former servicemen and women with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. This generous grant will enable to us to continue to provide our life changing treatment.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff ABF The Soldiers’ Charity adds;
“We are very proud to support Combat Stress with this grant. It is vital that we help our veterans with mental health care and provide them with top quality services when they are in need. Thank you to Combat Stress for the significant work you do.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Combat Stress
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
For almost a century, we’ve helped former servicemen and women deal with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Over the past five years (2012 to 2017) we have seen an average of more than 2,000 referrals each year. Demand for our services continues to grow – we have seen a 143% increase in referrals from ten years ago.
On average it takes 12 years after leaving the military for veterans to contact Combat Stress for help, by which time their condition is often highly complex. However, veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts are coming to Combat Stress much sooner (three and four years respectively).
To help veterans rebuild their lives, we provide a range of free services:
- Short-stay clinical treatment at our treatment centres
- A specialist Intensive Treatment Programme – delivered at our treatment centres
- Community Teams – providing treatment and practical support to veterans. Last year our regional community teams undertook almost 5,400 face-to-face appointments
- Outpatients – assessment by psychiatrists and psychologists – at our treatment centres and in the community – enables us to diagnose, define and deliver the treatment veterans require
- Occupational therapy – delivered at our treatment centres and in the community, we use meaningful and creative activity to encourage hope, wellbeing and recovery
- Peer Support Service – Led by veterans for veterans, it’s the first UK-wide service of its kind for those with mental health problems. The service enables them to share their experiences, receive support and socialise with others with similar experiences.
- Substance Misuse Case Management Service – helping veterans to access the services for their drug and alcohol problems so their mental health issues can be addressed
- We have a 24-hour Helpline available to veterans and their families (0800 138 1619) and to serving personnel and their families (0800 323 4444)
Useful links
Our website: combatstress.org.uk
On Twitter: @CombatStress
On Facebook: facebook.com/CombatStress
On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/combat-stress
