Forces’ veterans, reservists and their families can now receive therapy for military PTSD through a phone or internet call, following a successful pilot programme by PTSD Resolution.
To date the veterans’ charity has had 2,900 referrals over 11 years, delivering treatment face-to-face through a network of 200 accredited therapists.
PTSD Resolution chairman Colonel Tony Gauvain (Retired) says:
“The suffering and anguish of veterans, reservists and their families from the effects of military trauma are at crisis point, exacerbated by the effects of self-isolation from Coronavirus, COVID-19. Many sufferers are living on their own, with no social engagement; it is a recipe for disaster from the feedback we are getting.
“PTSD Resolution piloted the phone treatment programme based on our long experience of delivering treatment successfully through one-to-one sessions with our network of therapists. Remote treatment, by phone and internet, was originally tested to meet the needs of veterans who were living in isolated locations or unable for other reasons to attend for face-to-face treatment. It has worked well, which meant that we were ideally positioned to launch this as a new service, to deal with the issue of enforced self-isolation”.
The charity is launching a campaign to reach veterans and families – #VeteransListenIn – and a national appeal for funding to meet the high demand for support. PTSD Resolution receives no Government funds and relies on public donations.
The charity has no salaried staff, offices or assets; donations are used to pay therapists to provide treatment and to ensure that veterans and potential referrers are aware of the vital support that is available. A course of treatment averages five out-patient sessions and costs the charity around £650, which is delivered free to veterans and family members, who may also be affected by symptoms.
