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Royal College of Psychiatrists: Do NHS mental health services meet the needs of UK war veterans?

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Tuesday, 01, Jul 2008 12:00

There are believed to be as many as five million service veterans in the UK, but the nature and extent of their mental health needs are unknown.

There is, however, a strong feeling that NHS mental health services do not cater for veterans’ needs, and that there is widespread ignorance of armed services’ mental health issues, as well as the role and capabilities of Combat Stress - a voluntary sector organisation dealing with veterans’ mental health.

Following an independent review of veterans’ mental health provision, the UK Veterans Agency has launched a two-year pilot project to identify and address the mental health needs of veterans in six centres across the country.

A Veterans’ Mental Health Therapist has been funded in each site to diagnose and treat, where appropriate, those with mental health problems. The therapists will also advise veterans already in contact with NHS mental health services to enable them to receive more timely and effective treatment.

Combat Stress reports a 13-year time lag between people leaving the armed services with a mental health problem and their seeking help, either with the organisation or with NHS mental health services.

South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is the lead pilot centre for the new project, and began seeing patients in September 2007. The project has a strong educational component, bringing together the NHS, military mental health professionals, and Combat Stress.

The pilot will be evaluated after two years and, if positive health outcomes are shown, the project will be rolled out nationally.

Reference:

Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College London 1 - 4 July 2008

For further information contact Dr Martin Deahl, South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Tel: 01952 381 662 or 07802 569 700. E-mail: martin.deahl@sssft.nhs.uk

Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Press Office: 020 7235 2351 exts. 298 or 127.

From 1-4 July, please call the Annual Meeting Press Office on 020 7594 8636 or 020 7594 1847.

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