Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week, from June 9th to 15th, encourages service members and civilians to discuss their experiences and the support networks they need to prioritise their mental health.
In recognition of this week, NHS Trust’s Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals are introducing ‘Veterans ED Care Packs’ to address the psychological impact of veterans waiting for medical care, aiming to improve mental health issues among active military members.
Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by Veterans
Mental health has improved in recent years, with employers prioritizing it for both military and civilian employees. However, transitioning from military to civilian life presents challenges like PTSD, anxiety, depression, isolation, and trauma, leading to increased psychiatric injury claims.
These mental health struggles can remain unseen but 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)
- Depression and anxiety
- Alcohol and substance misuse
- Feelings of isolation or lack of purpose
- Difficulty finding employment or housing.
NHS Trust Launches “Veterans ED Care Packs” in Hospitals
After recognising the psychological toll that waiting for medical attention takes on veterans. Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust found a way to make a positive difference.
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals built on their commitment and developed a “Veterans Emergency Department Care Packs” to assist veterans and members of the Armed Forces during their visits to the Emergency Department, demonstrating their commitment to providing compassionate care.
The trust created this care package based on feedback from a veteran patient, aiming to reduce distress and be a resource designed to offer comfort and assistance in stressful environments. While improving the care experience for those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health conditions.
Each ‘Veterans ED Care Pack’ contains carefully selected items such as:
- A tote bag
- An ice pack
- Grinding stones
- A stress ball
- An eye mask,
- Earplugs,
- A notepad,
- A pen,
- A sticker,
- A fidget bracelet,
- Veteran Aware informational leaflets on support organisations for the Armed Forces community.
Over 30 care packs have been distributed across both emergency departments to provide veterans with practical tools to promote calmness and reassurance.
Beyond Medical Care: The Reasons Behind Veterans’ ED Care Packs
Everyone understands that emergency rooms can be frightening, noisy, and busy. Veterans may even recognise these high-stress situations.
By utilising the “Veterans ED Care Pack” and increasing staff awareness, the trust is fostering a medical setting that is welcoming and considerate of the needs of this specific community. Through this effort, the trust demonstrates its commitment to listening, learning, and continuously improving patient care.
The trust ensures that every member of the Armed Forces community receives the respect, understanding, and support they need when seeking medical care by acknowledging the distinctive experiences of the community and by obtaining NHS Veteran Aware accreditation.
Enhancing Veteran Care: New Mental Health Training for Medical Staff
In addition to the care packs, the trust implemented a specific training program for staff that focused on recognising and assisting members of the Armed Forces community to increase understanding and support.
NHS Veteran Aware accreditation focuses on providing respectful, informed care for the Armed Forces community. It emphasizes identifying patients with Armed Forces backgrounds and applying alerts to their records.
Staff have received training on communication styles to interpret language appropriately, recognizing that certain expressions may not indicate distress or heightened emotion.
By taking a deliberate and cooperative approach, emergency services are guaranteed to be more inclusive, responsive, and sensitive to the particular experiences of veterans. Putting a spotlight on the extraordinary journeys of care, service, and family within the Armed Forces community.
Officials emphasize the significance of the development
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust’s Patient Experience Officer and Armed Forces Lead, Chris Mullings, stated, “These bags are a vital part of the support we offer to veterans during attendance to our emergency department. The bags provide items that have been carefully selected from working with veterans and supporting organisations.
“These items can help veterans navigate through the emergency department, recognising that this environment can be incredibly challenging for patients struggling with mental health conditions such as PTSD.”
Frequently asked questions:
Types of military injuries:
You may be entitled to claim compensation if you have an injury, illness or medical disorder caused or worsened by working in the UK Armed Forces Service. This includes accidents sustained in training exercises or active duty, resulting in physical or mental health conditions.
We have rounded up some common injuries that may be claimed for, however this list is not exhaustive:
- Accidents involving road traffic.
- Injuries during military training exercises
- Parachuting-related injuries
- Injuries from fires and explosions
- The harm caused by inadequate or faulty equipment and machinery.
- Injuries sustained during mountaineering activities.
- Injuries involving military vehicles.
- Injuries during sports and adventure training, including assault courses.
- Injuries from manual handling tasks
- Falls from height.
- Injuries caused by the negligent discharge of firearms.
- Non-freezing cold injury (sometimes known as trench foot)
- Freezing cold injury (also known as frostbite).
What do I need to do to make a claim?
If you have been hurt whilst working in the armed forces, here are some things you can do to make your military injury claim as strong as possible:
- Seek medical treatment immediately and take photographs of your injuries if possible.
- Report your injury or illness to the military as soon as it occurs.
- Contact Oakwood Solicitors Ltd for expert, no-obligation legal advice.
- Collect the contact details of witnesses.
- Keep a record of any costs you incur because of your injury.
Further Information:
Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting Our Veterans Beyond the Battlefield.
Men’s Health Week 2024.
Mental Health Awareness Week.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Supporting Veterans in Emergency Care – Cobseo.
Oakwood Solicitors Armed Forces Legal Support.
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we are committed to supporting Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists, whether they are still serving or have entered civilian life. Proudly partnered with veterans’ charity, Front Foot.
Oakwood Solicitors is a trusted choice for military personnel seeking justice, offering specialized legal support for injuries, illnesses, family matters, property transactions, and wills. They emphasize that seeking assistance is not a weakness but a strength.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
Jessica Rowson started as a Paralegal at Oakwood Solicitors in July 2010, qualifying as a Solicitor in September 2013. Following her qualifying as a Solicitor, Jessica established a niche department …
Male suicide rates and possible factors
A recent article about the urgent need for charity funding to help stem alarming male suicide rates in the UK has us consid…
View
Mental health problems in the legal profession
Did you know? A study by the Law Society of England and Wales found that legal professionals are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population.
The s…
View
5 Ways To Safeguard Mental Health Online
Once again, we witness a media storm around a public figure who unfortunately decided that life was no longer bearable for them.
Not only is this a tragedy for…
View
