NHS bosses in Norfolk and Suffolk raise awareness of support available for veterans
They're launching Operation Courage to encourage veterans struggling to get help
Armed forces veterans across Suffolk who are struggling with things like their mental health and addictions are being urged to get help.
The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's (NSFT) launched a new campaign; 'Operation Courage' which is designed to raise awareness of their expanded support service for veterans.
It comes after a recent survey from NHS England found that more than half of veterans find it difficult to speak up about mental health issues.
The NSFT says Operation Courage provides a number of different interventions that are important to veterans, including enhanced specialist support for addictions.
The service is provided by the NSFT and partners from other mental health trusts and charities in the region, such as Walking With the Wounded, Warrior Programme and Mental Health Matters.
How can the services help?
In Norfolk and Suffolk, Op Courage will bring together three services – the Veterans Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS), the Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) and the Veterans Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS).
The service will help people of any age who have served in any of the armed forces (including reservists) at any time, for any duration.
THE NSFT says clinicians will help veterans with a wide range of mental health issues, irrespective of whether they relate to their military service.
They can also help address other concerns, such as relationships, housing and finances, and can offer support to families and carers.
Referrals
Nationally, the service has seen 30,000 referrals since it was first launched by the NHS in 2017, 4,500 of those from April-November 2023.
NSFT figures show 400 referrals in the East of England since April 2023, an average of 44 a month.
There are about 2.4 million veterans living in the UK, with the Office for National Statistics suggesting 149,000 of those living in the East of England.
That's about 4% of the adult population.
"Absolutely amazing"
Stephen Curnow, Deputy Service Manager at NSFT: “Veterans can access a wide range of specialist service under one team, which is simpler and quicker for them to get the help that they might need.”
One veteran who has used the service said people needed to spread the word about Op COURAGE: “The service is absolutely amazing. I can’t believe how quickly things happened and switched into place. I have felt supported throughout the whole process and have already recommended the service to other veterans.”