Rutland veteran praises mental health support service for ex-forces
The NHS is raising awareness of Op Courage - after research found most serving in the military still find it difficult to ask for help
A Rutland veteran tells us a new specialist mental health support service for ex-forces has changed his life.
This comes as a survey of over 3,000 veterans and serving personnel carried out by NHS England, found that the majority of those who took part said they found it difficult to ask for help regarding mental health issues.
More than half of respondents to the survey (52%) said they currently had, or had previously had, a mental health problem and 54% said they had a physical health problem now or had previously had one.
Mark Taylor, from Oakham, served for 26 years in the British Army.
"We're told pain is weakness and that's drilled into us and it's very difficult to change the mindset."
"That fear of failure is something that's drilled into us all, but I'd like to think also we can change the shift. Without doing so, we're going to constantly see these problems resurfacing.
"I was very reluctant to acknowledge that a) I had an issue with mental health b) there was something in me that was too proud to say I need help.
"I can't thank the process enough."
For those who sought help from Op COURAGE, self-referral was the top method (around 44%). As a result, NHS England has updated the service, with a focus on boosting self-referrals, as well as the addition of enhanced addiction support.
The Op COURAGE service which provides specialist care, support and treatment to former Armed Forces personnel, reservists, and service leavers with mental health and wellbeing issues, is therefore encouraging veterans to ask for help and support from people who understand what they are going through.