Cost of living hits mental health of veterans, says Wiltshire charity

The cost-of-living crisis has added to a decline in veterans' mental health over the past 12 months, according an annual survey by Wiltshire based charity Help for Heroes.

In its annual survey, the charity says coverage of the war in Ukraine and loneliness are also driving the reported dip in mental health.

Some 810 veterans with self-declared physical or mental health conditions expected to last longer than 12 months completed the Veterans and Families Survey between August 15 and September 2.

Of these, 85% reported struggling with their mental health daily, compared with 73% in a 2021 survey.

Help for Heroes says 82% of respondents are worried about the cost of living, with one in eight having used a food bank in the last 12 months.

And 51% said news coverage of recent conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan has taken a toll on their mental health.

This has caused many to experience anger, depression, low mood and sleep disruption.

News of these conflicts has prompted feelings of guilty or shame for 35% of respondents.

And 10% reported misusing alcohol or substances as a result.

Of those surveyed, 82% reported experiencing feelings of loneliness and 32% say they are often or always lonely.

The latter rises to 54% for those living alone, HfH states.

Spencer Bull, who lives in Wiltshire, joined the army in 1989 and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005.

He told Greatest Hits Radio he's delaying having to turn the heating on at home:

"We've been fortunate that it hasn't been so cold so far but we know that certainly next month and in the beginning of next year, the temperature will drop and we will have to put the heating on one way or another.

"It does cause a certain amount of anxiety because you're thinking, how are we going to pay for all of this, what is going to have to drop in order to do that?"

Spencer also explained how the conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan can take a toll on someone living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

"Listening to the reports, seeing it on TV, brings back memories of situations they may have been in, in other conflicts. And it's a trigger.

"It's a trigger that, for no reason whatsoever, something happens and they are back in the place they really don't want to be, they step back to the conflict they may have been in."

Decline in mental health 'not surprising'

HfH's interim chief executive James Needham said:

"For those veterans living with long-term health conditions, it's not surprising recent external factors outside of their control have resulted in a worsening of mental health."

HfH has seen a 28% increase in referrals for grant funding support, up from 389 to 498, in the last year to September compared to the previous year.

It has seen an 8% increase in overall referrals, up from 2,438 to 2,623, to end of September 2022 compared to the previous year.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said:

"We encourage any veteran who may be struggling to come forward and seek support.

"Veterans in England can access specialist support through NHS England's dedicated veterans mental health and wellbeing service, Op Courage."

More information on support is available via HfH's website: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/welfare/cost-of-living-support/

The cost of living crisis has hit many of us:

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