Spike in veterans seeking mental health counselling sees 100 per cent increase in six months

Prince Harry has become a significant spokesperson on mental health, drawing particular attention to the experiences of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
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Ben Morgan8 November 2018

The number of military veterans seeking mental health help has soared, a leading psychiatrist said today.

The NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) offers specialist counselling to those who have left the armed forces. It has reported a sharp spike in referrals of ex-military personnel in the capital and South East.

Dr Deirdre MacManus, lead consultant psychiatrist at Camden and Islington NHS trust, which runs TILS in London said: “We have seen a greater than 100 per cent increase in referrals over the last six months.

“That’s for a combination of reasons. Some people have been discharged from the military and have developed mental health problems during their difficult transition.

“Socially, there’s more discussion about mental health and a reduced stigma so people are more prepared to seek help.”

About 80 per cent of London patients are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder upon discharge from the armed forces. TILS supports those transitioning into civilian life and provides specialist intervention for people with PTSD or complex psychological trauma. It was launched last year with £9 million from the Government and has worked with over 4,700 people.

This year NHS England established the Complex Treatment Service to help those suffering the most. In the Budget last week Chancellor Philip Hammond made £10 million available to boost veterans’ mental health care.

Dr MacManus said more needs to be done for those entering civilian life.

She added: “Often mental health is still so far down people’s list of priorities it can be months or years after discharge before they seek help. It could be things have not gone well, relationships have broken down or they cannot get into employment. We still get soldiers who served in Northern Ireland coming.”

Dr MacManus said the number of services on offer could be confusing to veterans and “we are trying to simplify all of the help into one place”.

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