Mental health matters all the time, not just on Armed Forces Day

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Armed Forces Day is the time of year when we publicly show our appreciation for everything our current and former servicemen and women have done, and continue to do for our safety and freedoms.

There are a great number of topics we could discus in this article, but on this occasion we wish to shed light upon mental health and the issues faced by ex-service people and Veterans.

Mental health matters

What kinds of common mental health challenges are likely to be faced by Veterans?

The transition back from military to civilian life may come with additional struggles such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, isolation and trauma.

These struggles are generally invisible to anyone but the individual, but they can be debilitating, leading to difficulty in discussing experiences, feelings of disconnection, and identity loss.

Common challenges faced by ex-service personnel include:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – For those who have had traumatic experiences as a result of either their role or circumstances
Depression and anxiety – Maybe as a result of the above, or from the changes they are living through post-service.
Sense of isolation or lack of purpose – Team life, camaraderie, enforced routine and discipline are no longer present.
Employment or housing issues – Due to factors such as unemployment, redundancy, stress at work or finances.
Alcohol and substance misuse – This could be an issue caused by any or all of the above, or by family or personal matters such as health, relationships, money or bereavement.

How can I try to improve my mood?

Where possible, it is best to try and find a suitable routine and stick to it. Make small changes to improve one little thing at a time, to ensure that you are adjusting to changes you can stick to.

Sleep hygiene

Sleep hygiene refers to creating a positive routine around bedtimes, such as:

Getting up and go to bed at the same time each day
Keeping the bedroom for sleeping only
Aiming for eight hours of sleep per day
Avoiding screen time for an hour before bed to prepare your body for sleep
Reading a book before bed instead of scrolling on your phone

Meals/Exercise

They say you are what you eat, so try to make sure that the fuel you put into your body is providing adequate nourishment.

Eat regularly and at set times (work permitting) and try to eat as healthily as possible
Stay hydrated. Aim to drink eight glasses of water per day.
Avoid caffeine in the evening if you are having difficulty sleeping or you are feeling restless or anxious
Try and fit in a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise into your routine per day

Free time

Take a little time out whenever you can to do some of the things you enjoy, such as:

Spending time with loved ones/friends
Getting some fresh air/Walking the dog
Hobbies, such as reading or gardening

Try to keep yourself as occupied as you can, whilst at he same time ensuring that you are getting adequate rest.

Always remember: you are never alone

No matter how tough things are at any given moment, you do not have to go through it alone. Talk to a friend, a colleague, your GP, a counsellor or someone on a helpline.

If you are struggling with your mental health and believe that you may be of harm to yourself or others, contact the emergency services immediately.

I need some help with my mental health, who can I contact?

We would always advise speaking to your GP or therapist (or both) if you are having difficulties, but we have provided some links below that may be useful if you are looking for additional information or advice.

Thankfully, there are many online resources and plenty of helplines out there to turn to if you require some additional support.