Veterans charity in Beds and Bucks warns about the cost of living crisis toll
It comes as Help for Heroes revealed one in eight veterans used a food bank this year
A charity serving veterans in Beds and Bucks is warning about the toll the cost of living crisis is taking on servicemen and women.
One in eight veterans turned to food banks this year
The comments come after recent research from Help for Heroes has found that the mental health of veterans with long-term health conditions has declined in the last 12 months, amid concerns about the cost of living, recent conflicts, and loneliness.
According to the Veterans and Families Survey:
- 85% of veterans said they struggled with their mental health every day
- 82% were worried about the cost of living crisis
- One in eight have used a food bank in the last 12 month
Over half also said that the conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan had had a negative impact on their mental health, with others acknowledging it had led to a misuse of alcohol or substances.
"They're having to worry, 'how am I going to pay for my energy?'"
Dr Gill Le Page is Service Director at Veterans Community Network, which provides one-to-one support for veterans, reservists, and families through a network for trained peer mentors.
According to Dr Le Page, some veterans already have complex mental health problems which are being exacerbated by the cost of living crisis: "They're having to worry, 'how am I going to pay my mortgage?', 'how am I going to pay for my energy?'"
She adds: "A number of our veterans do have quite severe physical disabilities too. So, whereas somebody that's more able bodied can perhaps manage to have their heating off all day, somebody that's wheelchair bound might really be struggling to keep warm."
There is help out there
But she stressed there is support out there: "The Royal British Legion has launched the cost of living grants program. It's obviously means tested, to make sure the right people get the money. But it's something that is available for veterans and family members to apply for.
"So I would really, really encourage any veteran out there, if you're struggling, please look on the Royal British Legion website."
She concluded: "I feel very passionately that anybody that's served has been willing to pay the ultimate price, make the ultimate sacrifice, and this help is genuinely there to help our men and women who have served."