Combatstress Autumn 2016 by Combat Stress

TH E MAGA ZIN E O F TH E VE TE R ANS' M E NTAL H E ALTH CHARIT Y

COMBATSTRESS combatstress.org.uk

Autumn 2016

IN FOCUS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN PRACTICE

BORN TO RUN Stuart Repon-Ness takes on 1,447 miles for the charity

“Combat Stress really helped me so that’s why I decided to do something to help them” OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS

WHO WE HELP

The people who we support DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS

How Combat Stress can help THE LOWDOWN

Professor Sir Simon Wessely on charity, challenges and Chelsea

N E WS • S U P P O R T • F U N D R AI S I N G

Veteran Beryl reading a lesson at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event at Royal Hospital Chelsea, London

Celebrate Christmas with us at our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas Wednesday 14 December 2016 Royal Hospital Chelsea, London For more information or to book, please contact Nicolle Grace on: nicolle.grace@combatstress.org.uk or 01372 587 148 or visit combatstress.org.uk/support-us/events

WELCOME

Contents

Autumn 2016

8 “I wanted to do something really big and this seemed to fit the bill!”

fter nine months as Chief Executive, I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure to meet many of you: both veterans who we help, as well as supporters who raise vital funds to enable us to change so many lives. In this issue, you can read about the incredible difference our treatment makes – see page 18 for an insight into family life from veteran Don and his daughter Carly. There’s also an amazing story on page 8 of a veteran running from Seattle to San Diego to raise money for us. You can read about the benefits of occupational therapy for veterans on page 14 and see how this is something that can actually help us all in our daily lives. As you will see from our year in numbers on page 12, we continue to see rising demand for our services. We are looking at the best ways to continue to help as many veterans as we can in the most effective way by developing a new strategy for Combat Stress. We will share details of this with you in a future issue of the magazine. As a nation, we are facing changing times but I’m confident we are prepared for the challenges ahead.

Upfront

Planning for our future Discover how gifts in Wills provide vital support

Cover story: Marathon man A veteran takes on a once-ina-lifetime challenge

Drug and alcohol issues? Find out more about the service we provide

Our year in numbers An overview of our last year

A better balance Find out more about occupational therapy, and how its use can benefit all of us

Helping veterans together

The benefits of being a Benefactor

Changing lives How Combat Stress has helped veterans and their families

Last word Professor Sir Simon Wessely

COMBAT STRESS, Tyrwhitt House, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 0BX Published by James Pembroke Publishing

General enquiries: 01372 587 151 Email: magazine@combatstress.org.uk Helpline: 0800 138 1619 (for veterans, serving personnel and their families)

Sue Freeth Chief Executive

The latest news

If you would like to change how you hear from us in the future please contact Lara Hogan on 01372 587 151 or Lara.Hogan@combatstress.org.uk If you have read and enjoyed our magazine please pass it on to a friend or recycle

Produced by the Combat Stress Communications Team with contributions from veterans, supporters and employees. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards this issue Photography by Richard Stonehouse, Martin Shields and other contributors COMBAT STRESS (Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society) Company Registered in England & Wales No 256353. Charity Registration No 206002. Charity Scotland No SC038828.

UPFRONT The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

Q&A SUE FREETH

Photo: ©Science Museum

LET’S GET OUR HEADS TOGETHER

Veterans Clement and Gary look at their contribution to the Wounded exhibition

Veterans contribute to new WW1 exhibition at the Science Museum

ombat Stress veterans have contributed to a new exhibition at the Science Museum, London to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. Six veterans who served in Afghanistan (including Clement and Gary – pictured above) worked alongside staff at the museum to develop a display about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the Wounded: Conflict, Causalities and Care exhibition. Sharing their experiences in the Armed Forces, they have explored the impact of PTSD and how, with the

support of Combat Stress, they are now rebuilding their lives. Wounded examines the remarkable innovations in medical practices and technologies that were developed as a result of industrialised warfare. It also makes comparisons between the treatment of soldiers in the First World War and more recent conflicts. The exhibition is free to visit and will run until early 2018. Find out more at: sciencemuseum.org.uk/wounded To hear from veterans Clement and Gary and the curator of the exhibition, visit our YouTube channel.

COMBAT STRESS is involved in The Royal Foundation’s Heads Together campaign as part of Contact, a group of military mental health organisations. Launched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Heads Together aims to change the conversation on mental health and wellbeing. Heads Together is the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Charity of the Year, so if mental health issues matter to you and running the London Marathon is on your bucket list, this could be the year to do it. Combat Stress has a limited number of charity places available or you can choose to run for us if you’re lucky enough to secure your own ballot place. For more information about our charity places or to register as an ownplace runner, please email tom.wilman@combatstress.org.uk or call 01372 587 149.

We asked for your questions for our Chief Executive Sue Freeth. Here are the top two.

Dan Jarvis MP: What practical steps could Government take nationally and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) locally to better support our veterans suffering from PTSD? Just 5% of veterans we support are referred by their GP – increasing this is a priority. Government and CCGs can help by raising awareness of our services and NHScommissioned status, and ensure that clinicians are familiar with NICE guidelines on PTSD. James Belmont: What would you say to prospective employers of ex-military professionals when it comes to hiring people who suffer from mental health and other service-related injuries? Our own research has shown that around 45% of veterans we treat for PTSD are in employment. One of the predictors of doing well

Chief Executive Sue Freeth has been in the job for nine months now

On 8 October 2016, it will be 70 years since our Tyrwhitt House treatment centre was opened by HRH Princess Alice. The 28 October 2016 also marks 20 years since Audley Court opened as a treatment centre.

after receiving treatment is either continuing to be in employment or feeling ready to return to work. What seems critical for employers to consider when employing veterans with mental health conditions is to ensure the potential job fits with their skills/experience rather than just slotting them into a generic role. It’s also important to recognise that small adjustments may need to be made to support the veteran with their transition back into work. The Career Transition Partnership can provide more information on supporting veterans in the workplace: ctp.org.uk In the next issue Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising, answers your questions. Email magazine@combatstress.org.uk or tweet @CombatStress with your questions. To find out more about Robert, visit our YouTube channel.

SAVE THE DATE

WE NEED YOU! If you are a veteran and would like to be more involved in the charity, look out for opportunities on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Birthday celebrations

Take on the London Marathon and raise money for Combat Stress

NOV

Our Armistice Lecture will take place on Wednesday 2 November 2016 at the Royal United Services Institute, Whitehall, London. For more information, please email events@combatstress.org.uk

combatstress.org.uk

Tyrwhitt House treatment centre (top), and HRH Princess Alice (above) at the official opening of Tyrwhitt House in 1946

UPFRONT

LEGACY

Competition

Your say

Take a break with this brain teaser. Complete the Sudoku and you could win a prize!

What you’ve been saying about us on social media and in our treatment centres

6 5

Brian Kelly They [the Occupational Therapy staff at Audley Court] have given me and my family a hope of seeing the glimpse of light at the end of my tunnel. I can never thank the OT staff for what they have given me. Thank you all so much.

9 8

@worldwarwomen Thank goodness u are there 4 our brave lads & lasses. Their wounds are every bit as significant as physical ones that are visible.

5 7

7 3 7

4 5

1 9

Sudoku prize draw We have three Combat Stress goodie bags to give away in our prize draw. Enter the prize draw in two easy steps: 1. Complete the Sudoku puzzle 2. Send the completed form to: Combat Stress Magazine Combat Stress, Tyrwhitt House, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 0BX Name: Address:

@PhilFazza veteran and supporter

@PhilFazza As a veteran and supporter of @CombatStress proud to be wearing this out and about in Tenerife today. Paul Lowther When you think you are at the end of the road, try Combat Stress. New roads will open. Fantastic place, fantastic staff.

Keep in touch Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards this issue. Please contact us with your comments, letters or feature ideas at magazine@combatstress.org.uk Website: Find out more: combatstress.org.uk Facebook: Stay in touch: facebook.com/CombatStress Twitter: Follow us: @CombatStress, use #CombatStressMag

Telephone: Email: Please tick this box if you are happy to receive emails from Combat Stress

Congratulations to our winners from the last issue. We hope you all had a great time at the Battle Proms concerts!

LinkedIn: Connect with us: linkedin.com/company/combat-stress YouTube: visit our channel: youtube.com/user/ CombatStressCharity Instagram: Follow us: @combatstress, use #CombatStress

Planning for our future You can help us continue to support the health and wellbeing of veterans by leaving a legacy in your Will

ince 1919, Combat Stress has provided support to veterans of the UK Armed Forces with mental health conditions, helping them to recover and rebuild their lives. One veteran who has benefited from the charity’s free specialist clinical treatment is Steven. He explains how much of a difference the treatment made to him: “As part of my therapy I wrote a poem listing all the things I never thought I would do or have again, or even deserved. To laugh, dream, hope, walk, run, live, feel or love. “The negativity of the poem was a reflection of how low I felt at the time. Through Combat Stress treatment and support that negativity has gone and I have found happiness, pride and hope for the future.” Steven was part of Gareth Malone’s Invictus Choir. He says: “Being part of The Invictus Choir was an amazing experience. It brought happiness back into my life. But it is something I would never have been able to do without the therapy and support I received from Combat Stress.” Help us to continue to provide support to veterans like Steven in the future by leaving us a gift in your Will. To have a chat with us about leaving a legacy, please call Emily Jarvis on 01372 587 153 or email emily.jarvis@combatstress.org.uk

Terms and Conditions: The prize draw is free to enter. All correct entries will be entered into the draw. Not open to staff of Combat Stress. Competition closing date is 31 October 2016. The winners will be drawn after this date and notified.

24-hour Helpline: 0800 138 1619

combatstress.org.uk

Steven with Gareth Malone and Steven’s daughter after the choir’s performance at the Invictus Games launch party in London

“I have found happiness, pride and hope for the future” Steven

THINKING ABOUT LEAVING A LEGACY? We’ve partnered with Lexikin, a trusted online service that can securely store a digital record of all your private documents, possessions and wishes, including legacies. This unique service allows you to set up a straightforward charitable pledge, for free, and guarantees your legacies are clearly understood by chosen executors. In addition, 100% of your pledge will go straight to Combat Stress. For more information visit: lexikin.com/charities/combatstress

1 IN 5

veterans are supported by Combat Stress thanks to gifts in Wills

Steven wrote a poem as part of his therapy at Combat Stress. Visit the news section of our website to read it: combatstress.org. uk/news

MY STORY: STUART REPON-NESS

MY ROUTE

Marathon man Stuart Repon-Ness explains why he’s taking on an epic once-in-a-lifetime challenge for Combat Stress

unning a marathon once is enough for most people but for this exsoldier, one just isn’t enough. Stuart ReponNess is running the equivalent of 55 marathons in just 45 days! Stuart, from Warrington, is running 1,447 miles along the West Coast of America during August and September, starting in Seattle and finishing in San Diego, running more than a marathon a day. The father of four, who works as an injury rehab therapist, is making this journey without a support crew, and said: “I will get on the plane with just my toothbrush, my phone charger and my race pack.” Stuart served in the Army as a physical training instructor and was deployed to Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland before he left the Forces after eight years in 2008.

A LIFELINE “When I got back from Iraq I was suffering but the Combat Stress Helpline was a lifeline to me – there was always someone to talk to. The charity really helped me so that’s why I decided to do something to help them. I wanted to do something really big and this challenge seemed to fit the bill! “Running has a special place for me, it’s my therapy – I love it. It’s a chance to get away from the daily grind and just think about nothing but the beautiful world around you.

START Seattle, Washington 120 miles Nemah, Washington

253 miles I got into it during my first posting in Germany, starting out with short runs of about a mile and half. I quickly found I liked the longer distances and now I don’t usually get out of bed for less than half a marathon.” He initially had the idea for his challenge after reading about a famous vegan runner, blogger and author, Scott Jurek, who ran

“Running has a special place for me, it’s my therapy – I love it” along the East Coast of America. “I decided to take on the West Coast as hopefully the weather will be better! I’ll be going along Highway 101 and through Hollywood – there are some nasty hills but it’s going to be an adventure.”

the challenge: “The West Coast of America is like the vegan capital of the world so I don’t think I’ll have any problems finding something to eat.” Fruit provides Stuart with 90 per cent of his energy – he can eat up to 20 oranges in the day – but he also enjoys meals such as beans on toast and jacket potatoes. “The best thing about being a vegan is the simplicity,” he said. “I take energy bars and dates on training runs for fuel.” Stuart has already started planning his next charity run – Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles in April 2017. “This would be a massive challenge and I’d need a support crew as much of the route is pretty remote. Watch this space – if I can find a way to do it, I’ll take it on!” To keep track of Stuart’s progress along the West Coast, visit stusrunning.com.

Hauser, Oregon

255 miles

Rio Dell, California 226 miles

Resistance work in the gym has been part of Stuart’s preparation

“I’ll be going along Highway 101 and through Hollywood – there are some nasty hills but it’s going to be an adventure”

Novato, California 275 miles Avila Beach, California 318 miles

FINISH

San Diego, California

PREPARATION IS KEY As Stuart will be running the equivalent of 45 back-to-back ultra-marathons, he’s been preparing by undertaking three long runs of 20+ miles per week, plus hitting the gym to build up his strength and resistance. Stuart is a vegan who eats mainly raw food but he says he’s not worried about fuelling himself for

WEST COAST OF AMERICA

SUPPORT STUART To sponsor Stuart, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/stusrunning and click on his Combat Stress fundraising page.

24-hour Helpline: 0800 138 1619

CHALLENGE YOURSELF If you would like to take on your own challenge contact the fundraising team on: 01372 587 140 or fundraising@combatstress.org.uk. For fundraising inspiration visit our YouTube channel.

HOW WE HELP: SUBSTANCE MISUSE

Drug and alcohol issues?

A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE

Our unique service helps veterans to get support that’s tailored to their specific needs

small but significant number of veterans with mental health issues are unable to take part in our treatment services due to drug and alcohol problems. We know that these veterans are often reluctant to seek help – some are too proud to ask for it, for others stigma around addiction services prevents them from getting help. Our Veterans Substance Misuse Case Management Service is an innovative initiative, launched to help veterans access the services they need to overcome their addiction so their mental health problems can then be addressed. We have placed a team of specialist nurses and practitioners in a range of existing services and organisations. For example, we have two nurses in the Glasgow Addiction Service – a joint NHS and council service – and a nurse based in the medical assessment unit of the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. In total there are 14 nurses and practitioners across seven different sites in the country (see right). Our team actively seek out veterans who may benefit from support, rather than waiting for them to make contact. For example, if a veteran with alcohol issues is admitted to the Accident and Emergency department of Queen Alexandra’s, our on-site nurse will visit

them at their bedside and work with them to put in place the help they need.

A PERSONAL APPROACH There is also a great degree of flexibility in the support our team can offer. There is no limit on the number of appointments or home visits a nurse or practitioner can make. This makes it easier to build trust. “Our service means we can support veterans on their journey, helping them access detox services if required and then providing help when they come out

WHERE THE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE We provide veterans with drug and alcohol support in the following locations: 1 Forth Valley

5 Salford

2 Glasgow

6 Trafford

3 Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside

7 Wiltshire –

4 Portsmouth

2 1 3

6 5

Chippenham, Salisbury and

7 4

Trowbridge

For more information please visit: combatstress.org.uk/veterans/substance-misuse-pilot-scheme/

24-hour Helpline: 0800 138 1619

the other side,” says Allan Henderson, substance misuse nurse, Glasgow Addiction Service. For Allan, the absence of a formal clinic is a key part of the service’s success. “I often visit veterans in their own homes. If I have to visit them several times before I get to see them, that’s fine – there’s no cut-off point.” Since the service was launched in January 2014, it has received 373 referrals, leading to 333 assessments being completed and 138 veterans being discharged following successful treatment.

combatstress.org.uk

“The Veterans Substance Misuse Case Management Service is working very well and we hope to increase the number of nurses this year,” says Kevin Molloy, Veterans Substance Misuse Case Management Service Manager at Combat Stress. “We know that in order for our mental health treatment to be effective we need veterans to abstain from alcohol or drugs. This service provides a route for veterans to get the help they need for their addiction before they receive help for mental health issues.”

Donna Bowman is one of our specialist nurses who works at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. She explains how she helped one veteran. “Tim, who served 22 years in the Royal Navy, was admitted having been found collapsed and intoxicated. On assessment, it was clear he was very depressed. He was estranged from his wife and, for the first time in his life, he was homeless and felt hopeless. He found it difficult to ask for help. “Tim was diagnosed with cirrhosis (liver disease) and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. He was admitted into hospital. I supervised his care and liaised with his medical team. As his physical condition improved, so did his emotional health and optimism. I then secured him a place at Alabare – a veteran housing support project – where he has started to rebuild his life, including his relationship with his wife. In fact, she has been in contact with me to say she is so grateful to have her husband back. Tim remains alcohol free and his health is greatly improved.” Donna Bowman is one of our specialist nurses

ANNUAL REPORT

37%

CLINICAL SERVICES

Our year in numbers

42%

If you want to know about the facts and stats behind Combat Stress and the work that we do, read on

Voluntary income is the main source of our funding. In our last financial year* this came to a total of

£7.5M

Where does the money go?

83 15 2

P is spent on veteran treatment and support

P is spent on fundraising P is spent on raising awareness and improving access

6,000 MORE THAN 6,000 VETERANS ARE REGISTERED WITH US FOR SUPPORT

10,000 9,572

OUR 24-HOUR HELPLINE WAS CONTACTED 9,572 TIMES DURING THE YEAR

Veterans continue to seek help earlier than expected VETERANS OF AFGHANISTAN on average seek treatment 2.1 years after leaving service

FOR EVERY £1 WE SPEND ON FUNDRAISING, WE RAISE £3

= 12

WHERE WE GET OUR MONEY FROM

How many people we help

OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE HAD ALMOST 10,000 REFERRALS (2,462 IN THE LAST YEAR)

FOR EVERY £1 WE SPEND:

DONATIONS

VETERANS OF IRAQ on average seek treatment 4.4 years after leaving service FROM ALL CONFLICTS the average is 12 years

WE ARE CURRENTLY SUPPORTING 1,317 VETERANS OF THE AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT AND 1,486 FROM THE IRAQ CONFLICT. 1,061 VETERANS WERE DISCHARGED DURING THE YEAR

PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme (ITP)

94%

of those undertaking our PTSD ITP complete it (in comparison, comparable programmes in the USA have only a 66% completion rate)

87%

of veterans who completed our PTSD ITP saw a reduction in their PTSD symptoms**

Raising awareness OVER 1,000 PIECES OF MEDIA COVERAGE THIS YEAR 60,000 ‘LIKES’ ON FACEBOOK (up 28%) 33,572 TWITTER FOLLOWERS (up 34%) 1,624 LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS (UP 57%) 24-hour Helpline: 0800 138 1619

*1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016. ** Refers to our two-year study of veterans who completed the PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme between 2012 and 2014.

Our funding

11%

LEGACIES

Expenditure and income 2015-2016

Download the Annual Report

You can download the full version of the Annual Report from Thursday 22 September 2016 from: combatstress.org.uk/about-us

HELPLINE AND OTHER

WHERE OUR MONEY GOES

INVESTMENT INCOME

OTHER INCOME

RAISING AWARENESS AND IMPROVING ACCESS

SUBSTANCE MISUSE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICE

STATUTORY GRANTS

58%

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMMES

15%

GENERATING VOLUNTARY INCOME

20 % COMMUNITY SERVICES

combatstress.org.uk

IN FOCUS: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Taking up an ‘occupation’ you’ve not done for a while or perhaps never tried, such as painting, can have a beneficial effect

A better balance Occupational therapy helps veterans get their lives back on track with support from dedicated therapists at Combat Stress

“ Karen Henderson Senior Occupational Therapist at Audley Court treatment centre Occupational therapy is about balancing all areas of your life

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT COMBAT STRESS Occupational therapy is available to all veterans undertaking a residential programme at one of our three treatment centres. We have also introduced occupational therapists to our community teams, providing veterans with the opportunity to attend occupational therapy workshops at our community clinics.

veryone can benefit from occupational therapy,” says Karen Henderson, Senior Occupational Therapist at Audley Court. “We can all have moments in our lives when it gets out of control – whether that’s through a work/life balance or mental health problems. Occupational therapy (OT) can help you get your day-to-day life back on track. “That’s why you’ll find, among other things, paintbrushes, model-making equipment, musical instruments, bearded dragons and fish in our OT areas,” Karen continues. “Veterans have the chance to find something they might enjoy doing, either again or for the first time.” For many veterans receiving treatment from Combat Stress, OT is a key part of recovery. For some, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has totally taken over their lives and they may have shut down completely and given up on living. Working with an occupational therapist helps to identify what matters to them and encourages them to engage in ‘occupations’ that are meaningful to them (occupations being everything that we ‘do’).

STEP BY STEP

Help to fund our therapies such as OT by calling 01372 587 151 to donate.

“When I meet a veteran for the first time, together we look at what they do on a day-to-day basis over a week,” says Karen. “We then review this and

“Occupational therapy gives you the realisation that, as long as you take pleasure from any activity for any reason, you have a much greater outlook on life and the things you do. You will turn the corner and add a little glimpse of hope that one day, one day it will stop raining” Tony, veteran who received treatment at Audley Court

combatstress.org.uk

“I believe everyone might be able to benefit from occupational therapy to help maintain a healthy balance” Karen Henderson

see what the split is between three main areas – productivity (something which has an end ‘product’, such as work or volunteering), self-care (looking after yourself by eating, drinking, personal hygiene, etc) and leisure (doing something pleasurable like watching TV or reading a book). In an ideal world, we’d all have an equal split across these three areas, giving you a healthy balance of work and play. “What I usually find is that either someone is working far too much or they have too much unproductive time, sitting around doing nothing. Part of the process is to review the timetable and see where changes can be made. We then create a list of actions that have to be taken each day with the understanding that if you stay on this list, it can help you keep mentally and physically well. Having a structure to your day is something we all need – and for veterans, having a list of things that has to be done each day can work well. “Once the basic structure is in place, I then work with veterans to find meaningful activities to add into their lives,” Karen continues. “We work out what they used to like doing and add them in gradually. Sometimes I suggest that they try out something new or something they haven’t done for a long time, like painting in the OT area, as they might find they really like it. You don’t need to be a brilliant model-maker or a great artist – it’s Try some all about finding something that simple makes you feel good. As long as occupational you learn to enjoy things again, therapy the activity itself is irrelevant.”

techniques right now

IN FOCUS: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Enjoying a hobby is all part of occupational balance

Making it work for you Occupational therapy is a useful tool for all of us. Try this simple exercise at home

1 2

ACHIEVING OCCUPATIONAL BALANCE Occupational Balance is a healthy balance of work, rest and play. Activity scheduling is a technique used to plan various activities into your day-to-day life to see your own balance. Scheduling in this way enables you to create a clear path for yourself that maintains a healthy balance of work and play. Planning like this can greatly reduce stress – proper planning can give you peace of mind.

HOW DO I DO IT? Create a simple timetable for the week (day by day, and hour by hour). You can see a weekly activity schedule on our website: visit combatstress.org.uk/veterans/ot-timetable Record what you presently do and colour code your activities by productivity, self-care or leisure (see right): Productivity: something which has an end product. It could be work or volunteering. Self-care: looking after yourself by eating, drinking, personal hygiene, etc. Leisure: doing something you enjoy such as watching TV, listening to music, seeing a friend, reading a book or baking, for instance. Too much of one colour means the balance isn’t right.

GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT It’s simple. If your schedule is out of kilter, over time gradually make changes to your activity to alter the balance. For example, if you work too hard, try and incorporate a little more downtime. This could be simply making the time to have a bath or going for a walk – small changes can make all the difference.

Weekly activity schedule Productivity

Self-care

Leisure

TIME

MON

TUES

WEDS

THURS

9AM

Work

Shower

See a friend

Breakfast

10AM

Read the paper

Listen to Volunteering Watch TV music

TRY IT YOURSELF View a weekly activity schedule on our website: combatstress.org.uk/veterans/ot-timetable

FIND OUT MORE Visit our YouTube channel to watch one of our veterans talking about what occupational therapy means to him.

BENEFACTORS

Helping veterans together

Thank you

Our Benefactors are supporting us while getting insights into the work of Combat Stress

e launched a Benefactor Programme last year for those who would like to support our work generously and on a regular basis. We’re delighted to say it’s been a great success so far – we already have 17 Benefactors, with three of these supporters making multi-year commitments, vital in helping us to plan better for the future. We’re so grateful for these significant gifts in support of our work.

We would like to thank our Benefactors for their generous support. New Benefactors to the programme include*:

“It’s an opportunity to bring mental health issues into the spotlight” Dr Rami Ranger, CBE. Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd, multi award-winning businessman, social reformer and philanthropist

WHY BE A BENEFACTOR? Dr Rami Ranger became a Benefactor in 2015. “For me, being a Benefactor is an opportunity to bring mental health issues into the spotlight and play my part in helping those who do so much for us in the line of duty. We are a caring country and Combat Stress has been doing inspirational work since 1919. Supporting the Benefactor Programme is one way to help ensure their services are available for the future.” “Our Benefactor Programme is a way for people to get a great insight into the charity,” explains Nicola Wearing, Major Gifts Manager. “It’s a chance to really connect with us by seeing in person how we operate and who we help. Benefactors have opportunities to meet the Combat Stress staff and leadership team as well as receiving invitations to special events. We

can also work to identify a specific project for people to support and champion. We want our Benefactors to invest in projects and services they feel most passionate about.”

• Richard and Mara Aylmer • David Dudding and Catharine Williams • Sir Roy and Lady Gardner • Mr Andy and Mrs Debby Pheasant • Five anonymous donors * Current as of June 2016.

HOW TO BECOME A BENEFACTOR To find out more about the programme, please call Nicola Wearing, Major Gifts Manager, on 01372 587 155 or email her at nicola.wearing@combatstress.org.uk. You can also read more about the Combat Stress Benefactor Programme on our website: combatstress.org.uk/support-us/give-a-major-gift

WHO WE HELP: VETERANS

“It’s given us all our old dad back” If you’ve ever wondered what a difference treatment from Combat Stress can make, Don and his daughter Carly explain how family life has changed for the better after he sought help from us

“My employer pointed me in the direction of Combat Stress. Meeting other people who felt the same as me was such a relief”

DON’S STORY “I was affected very badly by an incident in Northern Ireland in 1979. I was working in West Belfast and it was a time of high tension. My issues began when I was in the back of an open-ended Land Rover with a colleague and I saw my wife. I waved at her and my colleague looked at me and said: “You’ve just compromised your wife.” This might sound like nothing but at that time, in that place, that was massive. I spent the whole day terrified and that stayed with me. “I then worked in Kuwait, Cambodia, North Iraq and Bosnia clearing mine fi elds. It was a pretty turbulent time and I began to feel detached from my own reality. I started to hide away from things. I was angry and depressed with low self-esteem, and

I didn’t understand it. I thought I was going mad. I isolated myself from my family who I love deeply. “My family didn’t know what was wrong with me – but I didn’t know either. “It was my employer who pointed me in the direction of Combat Stress. Meeting other people who felt the same as me was such a relief. “If I had been aware of Combat Stress earlier, I would have got in touch with them in a heartbeat. “Before my treatment, I avoided family social occasions but life couldn’t be more different now. And, thanks to Combat Stress, Carly and I have got back the closeness we used to have.”

CARLY’S STORY “Before the change in my dad, I was always daddy’s little girl. We had no idea about what he was going through – we just thought it was dad being a grump. We thought maybe he didn’t want to be at home as he was always pushing us away. For years it felt like we were two separate families – mum, my brother and me as one and dad as the other. “I was always so proud of my dad’s career. I used to boast to friends that

he was getting the baddies. What I didn’t realise was how vulnerable he had become inside his own head. “Now Dad’s been through the treatment with Combat Stress, it has helped him to open up and communicate better with his family. It’s given us a snippet into his world and now we understand it and know how to support him. We’ve always been a close family but now we’re so much closer thanks to Combat Stress. “I can’t remember any argument in the last year or a time when he felt so stressed that he had to shut himself away. Rather than avoiding family occasions, he’s the one who is arranging things now – so different to how it used to be. “As a family, we are so grateful to have our ‘old dad’ back. If it wasn’t for the support from Combat Stress, my dad would not have the relationship he now has with his two grandsons.”

“We’ve always been a close family but now we’re so much closer thanks to Combat Stress”

Photo: Vicky Dawe

WHO WE HELP: VETERANS

OUR 24-HOUR HELPLINE: 0800 138 1619 Don called our Helpline to get in touch with us. If you’re serving, a veteran or a family member worried about a loved one, the Helpline can provide confidential help and advice about mental health issues.

Don and Carly have got back their closeness

combatstress.org.uk

WHO WE HELP: RESERVISTS

Our work with the Reserves Reservist Christopher explains how a talk from Combat Stress proved to be a turning point in his life

esearch has shown that reservists are more at risk than their regular colleagues to develop mental health problems following front line service. Thanks to the generosity of organisations such as the Westminster Foundation, Combat Stress has been able to provide support for members of the Reserve Forces with mental health problems. Combat Stress employs two Reserve Forces Liaison Officers who work across the country, highlighting the services of Combat Stress directly to Reserve Unit staff and reservists, and also to major employers of reservists. For reservist Christopher Donaldson of the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, the support available from Combat Stress has been vital to him.

“Christopher’s story is a great example of how building awareness about the charity can help ensure reservists understand the help we can provide” Glen MacDonald, Reserve Forces Liaison Officer

EARLY AMBITION “I’ve always wanted to be part of the Armed Forces. I did six years as a cadet and then transferred straight across into the Reserves when I turned 18 in 2005. I had the opportunity to be part of a crew, undertaking reconnaissance in a tank and this really appealed to me. “My first operational tour was in 2008 to Afghanistan and it cemented the job for me. I’d signed up to deploy at some point and this was my chance to do just that. After a successful tour, I returned home and got back to normal life. “I was then called up again in 2011 to go back to Afghanistan – I’d always wanted to do another tour so I jumped at the chance. This time around though, things were very different. My armoured vehicle was blown up by an explosive. I survived but two of my fellow soldiers were killed outright. “When I returned home, I found it hard to cope with the memories. I struggled at work, lost my job and was at a very low ebb. I’m generally quite a placid person but I became very argumentative and violent. “I realised I needed help and remembered that a few years ago I had attended a presentation at my Army Reserve Unit from Combat Stress. I’d kept their Helpline card that had been handed out behind my ID card and suddenly

24-hour Helpline: 0800 138 1619

“I’ve got a new job as a truck driver and recently got married so things couldn’t be better. Phoning Combat Stress was the best thing I ever did” Reservist Christopher I knew why. It was really daunting to make that first call but as soon as I had made contact, the Combat Stress team put things in place to provide the help I needed.”

SEEKING SUPPORT “I met with Glen MacDonald, one of the Reserve Forces Liaison Officers, and everything went from there,” Christopher continues. “Straight away I knew I was going to be looked after well. “I’ve already undertaken a one-week

residential treatment programme at Hollybush House – this was really beneficial to me and definitely helped me turn a corner. I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD and plan to undertake the Combat Stress PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme to further my recovery.”

NEW BEGINNINGS “I’ve got a new job as a truck driver and recently got married so things couldn’t be better,” says Christopher. “I’m also still an active member of the Army Reserves. Phoning Combat Stress was the best thing I ever did – it changed my life around.” Glen MacDonald, Reserve Forces Liaison Officer for Combat Stress, made the presentation at Christopher’s Unit. “Christopher’s story is a great example of how building awareness about the charity can help ensure reservists understand the help we can provide. As well as receiving support from us, we’ve also worked in partnership with Veterans First Point, another veterans’ support service in Scotland, to further help Christopher in his recovery. His Unit has also been extremely supportive of him.”

COMBAT STRESS AND RESERVISTS • If you serve, or have served as a reservist, our 24-hour Helpline 0800 138 1619 can provide confidential advice on your mental health issues and how to get help. • It doesn’t matter how young or old you are or how long you’ve been or were in the Reserves – we can help.

LAST WORD

Professor Sir Simon Wessely The President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and trustee of Combat Stress gives an insight into his life and his involvement with the charity

ir Simon Wessely is best known for his work on military health and is one of Britain’s most respected psychiatrists. Professor Wessely is Head of Psychological Medicine at King’s College London and he founded the King’s Centre for Military Health Research in 2003. Its flagship project is a large-scale study of the health of the UK Armed Forces, and it has had a direct impact on public policy and treatment. When I was growing up, I wanted to be a cricketer but the dream came to an end pretty quickly as I wasn’t very good at the game. I really admire Captain Noel Chavasse. He was a British medical doctor, Olympic athlete and British Army officer. He is one of only three people to be awarded a Victoria Cross twice. The highlight of my career has been becoming President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2014. I never thought it would happen to me. One of my greatest challenges has been persuading people that mental health treatments can be effective while also accepting that our knowledge of treatments for this area is imperfect. Our challenge is to continually develop better treatment options. I really enjoy working with my colleagues. I’ve always been very lucky with the people I’ve worked with. In fact some of my closest friends are those who I met in my very early days of training to be a doctor.

The best bit of my job is the variety – no two days are ever the same. Today I have seen a patient in the morning, worked on a new mental health policy, reviewed some of my research work and also done a newspaper interview. When I need a bit of peace and quiet, I head off to a café. I’m a bit of an expert on the best ones in London. I’m most proud of my research to improve the treatment of patients with unexplained syndromes. I’m also proud of my work to show that service in the 1991 Gulf War had a significant effect on the health of UK servicemen and women which helped ensure affected veterans received their war pensions.

Captain Noel Chavasse: a doctor, athlete and serviceman

The hardest thing I ever had to do was take part in the London to Paris charity cycle ride for the first time in 2006 – and it didn’t get any easier the next five times I did it. In my spare time, I like to do not much! I’m a season ticket holder for Chelsea though, so I do go and watch them play with my sons.

Chelsea matches have proved less relaxing of late!

My favourite way to relax used to be watching Chelsea but that’s not the case after their last season! I like being involved with Combat Stress because I find it very moving to be involved with an organisation with such a strong military history. If we want to understand how to better treat veterans with mental health issues, we need to look at the past and use this learning to develop better treatments today. The London to Paris cycle ride doesn’t get easier…

Supporting our work with veterans Combat Stress has received two significant donations from The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes to help fund our work

ver the last year, we have introduced a new way to support veterans in their communities. Thanks to the generosity of The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, we have received two significant grants to help fund the changes to our Community Service. The Royal British Legion has given us a £1.5 million grant. Split over three years (between 2015-2018), this grant has been provided to develop our work in the community, including the provision of occupational therapists

in our Community Teams for the first time. We have also been awarded a £1 million grant by Help for Heroes. The grant is for use between April 2016May 2017 and will part-fund the cost of operating our UK-wide network of Community Teams. These teams provide veterans with access to specialist help and support for their mental health conditions. Each of the 15 regional teams includes a community psychiatric nurse and an occupational therapist to effectively deliver the support and treatment veterans need.

“We’re really grateful for these significant grants. They demonstrate the shared ambition of everyone involved – to support veterans with mental health issues. Working together in this way means we can achieve so much more.” Sue Freeth Chief Executive, Combat Stress

Combat Stress is also grateful to all our other valued supporters and partners including:

Combat Stress Families and Armed Forces Raceday at Wincanton Gates open at 11am, Sunday 23 October 2016 Wincanton Racecourse, Somerset, BA9 8BJ An exciting day of horse racing for the whole family including free entertainment for children. Go all out and come dressed up as your favourite movie superhero, princess or real-life hero! All entrants will receive a prize and the best dressed will win one year’s Gold membership to Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park.

ETS TICK

£16 advance adult grandstand ticket (£18 full price) Accompanied children aged 17 and under FREE

TICK

£5

Grandstand tickets: call 0344 579 3014 and quote CSSUP2016

ETS

SPECIAL OFFER FOR COMBAT STRESS SUPPORTERS*

For more information, call 0344 579 3014 or visit www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk

*Two tickets can be purchased by each named supporter on the Combat Stress database. Advance booking will close at 23.59 on Saturday 22 October 2016.