Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke has welcomed the launch of the NHS's Op Courage service which will provide a clear single route for armed forces veterans who are experiencing a mental health crisis to access specialist mental health care.
Op Courage will focus specifically on those in crisis, including those at risk of self-harm or suicide, and those suffering other problems such as homelessness and addiction. Veterans who are experiencing a mental health crisis will be able to access therapy, rehab services and inpatient care from doctors, nurses and other NHS staff. The service, which is expected to support around 500 veterans each year, will also help to integrate veterans with mental ill health back in to everyday life.
Maria said “We owe a debt of gratitude to those who risk all for their country and looking after our veterans is a national responsibility in which we all have a role to play. I welcome the launch of Op Courage, a collaborative piece of work between NHS England and the Office for Veterans Affairs, that will provide a clear single route for accessing specialist care.
Anyone can be affected by mental ill health, help is available and you can get better. I urge veterans who are experiencing mental health crisis, to contact Op Courage.”
Over the last two years, the health service has expanded mental health services as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with more than 13,000 former troops having already benefited from specialist care for lower level problems such as anxiety and depression and almost 2,000 more having received help for more complex problems such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
NHS staff will be working with military charities who will help them to understand the experiences and issues faced by those who have risked their lives for their country and may have lost comrades or been injured themselves.