Suffolk veteran describes mental health services as 'neglected'
He's helping create a new service so these issues can be better understood
Last updated 19th Jun 2024
A new mental health service to support the armed forces community and their families has been launched by charity Suffolk Mind and local business Combat2Coffee.
The new Frontline Families Service is open to serving armed forces personnel, veterans and their loved ones across the county.
The service has been funded through a grant by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
It will provide free Suffolk Mind training to help people better understand trauma and how to support those experiencing mental ill health and mental health more generally.
This training includes courses such as The Mental Health Toolkit and The Essentials and Understanding Trauma, as well as free online resources.
Direct one-to-one outreach support is also delivered by Combat2Coffee.
Jon Neal, CEO of Suffolk Mind,says they are "delighted" to be working with Combat2Coffee, saying their new service will help people "put themselves in the shoes" of those who have been in the armed forces and the "trauma they may have experienced".
Because of this Jon believes this new service is "imperative."
“I would implore anyone in need of support to get in touch”
Combat2Coffee was founded in 2018 by Royal Anglian Regiment veteran Nigel Seaman following his own mental health battle.
Nigel had served for 12 years, after which he suffered from depression, anxiety, and flashbacks following an incident he experienced while on operations with the armed forces.
He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.)
Whilst talking to Nigel he told us that, like "many people" he "struggled in silence" and it wasn't until he received help that he realised support was available, and he needed it.
But one of the things that made it difficult to get help in the first place was the mindset installed in him whilst serving.
He explained that part of the training is to "keep going for your buddy, keep going for the crown the crest etc, you keep going."
Nigel attended a 6-week trauma-related residential course and decided to bring his coffee machine with him.
He noticed how the coffee attracted other veterans and serving personnel and enabled them to talk openly about difficult things.
Thus the idea of Combat2Coffee was born.
Since then, the company has grown rapidly, helping more and more people along the way.
Nigel told us this partnership is a wonderful opportunity to "extend their reach" and ensure no one is "left behind" whilst providing "vital" education on the effects of trauma and how best to manage its symptoms.
Despite his work, Nigel feels mental health is still "neglected", but says he also understands that many people ignore their mental health because they "fear" they can't speak out, and "can't say" they're struggling because they're worried "what people may think" or if they'll judge.
"Why wouldn't I want to work with Suffolk Mind?"
Around 4 years ago Nigel was working with Suffolk Family Careers and realised the "indirect effect" his mental health was having on his children.
He explained that he was not in a good place and it was his children who supported him when he had a "wobble or a meltdown."
And they're still there to support him today, if its needed, to get him out "of that situation."
This experience has helped Nigel to understand what can be achieved through the partnership with Suffolk Mind and he wants to help others who are going through a similar situation and make sure they're getting the right help and attention they need.