Local MP Supports Major New Investment In Mental Health Services For Armed Forces Personnel & Veterans

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, has welcomed a £220m increase funding for Armed Forces mental health services.

The Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has agreed to spend an extra £2million a year for the next ten years to improve mental health services in the Armed Forces on top of the £20million per year that is currently committed. The additional money, which brings the total planned spending to £220million over the next decade, will be put towards an increase in mental health specialists and bolstering existing provision.

In addition to this, a specialist 24 hour helpline has been launched to act as a gateway to mental health services for service personnel, veterans, and their families. The helpline will help identify people in need of support and link them with 20 sites providing mental health care for the military in the UK and abroad - bringing together psychiatrists, mental health nurses, clinical psychologists and social workers to help manage the mental health needs of those in difficulty.

The helpline will be run by the charity Combat Stress, which will be backed up by a deeper partnership between the charity and the Government. The two will work together to share expertise and ensure serving service personnel & veterans in crisis are provided with the appropriate support tailored for their needs.

The Ministry of Defence is also providing Combat Stress with increased funding to support its existing services.

Last year the MOD also launched its Defence People Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy focusing on preventative measures to protect our personnel. MOD also partnered with the Royal Foundation, a charity setup by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, to improve training and education alongside the strategy to promote mental fitness.

There are a range of services provided by partners working with MOD and through the Armed Forces Covenant, including the NHS, other Government departments and charities which serving personnel, veterans, and their families can access.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “We are rightly very proud of our armed services, and the work they do to keep us safe & improve international security. This work is often incredibly complex & stressful. It can lead to mental health issues further down the line. It is imperative, therefore, that the necessary advice and support is in place to address these issues as soon as they arise. I am delighted that the Government continues to work hard to ensure the wellbeing of our armed forces personnel.”

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Every hour of every day our safety, security and way of life are protected by our courageous Armed Forces personnel. They are always there for us - often risking life and limb and making huge personal sacrifices - and we must be there for them in their own time of need. Mental illnesses caused by life on the battlefield can have a devastating impact on our brave heroes and their families. It is our moral and professional duty to ensure that we do all we can for our world class troops. That’s why we have commissioned the new 24/7 Military Mental Health Helpline and will spend an extra £2million a year on mental health services for the next decade on top of the £20million we already spend each year. I will personally be working with all the service chiefs to make sure there isn’t a single person in the forces who doesn’t know where to turn in times of trouble.”

Surgeon General of the British Armed Forces Major General Martin Bricknell said: “This number will complement the range of mental health services, including our Departments of Community Mental Health, which we provide for our serving personnel. It is important to deliver a holistic service to ensure our Armed Forces have every opportunity to access the help and care they need and deserve. We must do all we can to provide easy access to the support available.”