Trauma & adversity - Veterans / Mental health in the community

‘Mental health in the community’ is a series of six podcasts brought to you by the Mental Health Foundation and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

What is this series about?

From 2016 to 2019 the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust ran the Mental Health Fellowships programme, funding individuals to travel abroad to learn more about how community-based solutions are being created to respond to some of today’s most pressing mental health challenges.

The Mental Health Foundation was the expert partner in this programme, helping to shape its aims, select the successful candidates and provide mentoring to the successful Fellows. In total, 59 Churchill Fellows were chosen to investigate best practice in 18 countries and bring back new evidence and ideas to create positive change in their profession, practice and communities in the UK.

This series of podcasts distils the key findings from this rich body of learning, and makes recommendations for policy and practice in the UK. Each episode focuses on an aspect of the Mental Health Fellowships’ overarching theme ‘community-based solutions’. There are also corresponding briefings for each of the categories below, available at www.mentalhealth.org.uk or www.wcmt.org.uk.

Episode 4: Trauma and Adversity: veterans’ mental health

Who’s on the podcast today?

Trevor Barnes: Host and presenter of BBC Television documentaries and BBC World Service news broadcasts.

Simon Edwards: Simon is the founder and trustee of Serve On, a charitable organisation providing help and support to UK international and local communities in times of crisis. In 2016, he travelled to the USA, Australia and New Zealand to draw lessons for the UK on supporting the transition of servicemen back into civilian life.

Charlie Morley: Charlie, an author and mindfulness teacher from Bermondsey, travelled to Canada and the USA (2018) to study mindfulness-based treatments for veterans with PTSD.

What is the episode about?

This episode features details on a wide range of international programmes providing holistic, community-based approaches to supporting the mental health of veterans.

These include programmes involving mindfulness, yoga, the performing arts, holistic retreats and equine learning, amongst others. We also hear about a new perspective on trauma: Moral Injury. While lesser known in the UK, Moral Injury (MI) is increasingly being acknowledged internationally as an important factor in understanding veteran mental health.

Need support?

 If you need someone to talk to then Samaritans are available on 116 123 (UK) for free, 24/7. They are there to talk to, listen and they won't judge or tell you what to do.

 C.A.L.M.: National helpline for men to talk about any troubles they are feeling. Call 0800 58 58 58 (UK). They are available 5pm-midnight 365 days a year.

 For support in a crisis, Text Shout to 85258. If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support. Shout can help with urgent issues such as: Suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying, relationship challenges.