InTouch News and information on our services for Veterans
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95 years of Combat Stress 1919
Reflecting on World War I As we mark the start of WW1, let us imagine preparing to go to war for ‘King and country’ all those years ago
I
n 1914 the British Army numbered just over 733,000 men – a number thought to be ‘contemptibly small’ by Germany’s leader, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Millions of farmers and office clerks along with workingclass lads from towns and cities volunteered. They received basic training for physical fitness, drill, march discipline and essential field craft. In the infantry, they specialised as a rifleman, machine gunner, rifle grenadier, signaller or bomber, and received training for that role. New barracks were built to house all the recruits and until these were ready, some recruits were billeted in private homes. Once the soldiers arrived overseas, they had to learn fast! Training carried on intensively when a unit was not on the frontline, and had
to be adapted to conditions on the ground. Trench warfare was very different – and unfamiliar to the recruits – from open, offensive fighting. Training and learning were rapidly reorganised throughout the war and the British Army became a highly proficient, mobile force capable of ‘all arms’ battles by 1918. In total 8.7 million men were deployed during the conflict. They came from the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as the Empire: from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies; the Indian Army supplied 1.5 million soldiers alone. Today we remember those who joined up over 100 years ago and honour their bravery and sacrifice. Many things have changed since then. Today we also honour those who went to war for ‘Queen and country’, too.
Founded in May 1919, Combat Stress sets up an ‘industrial colony’ in 1927 to provide better wages for Veterans, and extra funding. It develops one of the first-ever electric blankets to be sold in the UK.
1939
On 3 September Neville Chamberlain declares war – World War II. In 2014, Combat Stress is helping to rehabilitate 201 Veterans traumatised by World War II.
1945
Tyrwhitt House, Surrey, opens so ex-Service men can access the residential care needed to rebuild their lives.
1985
Hollybush House in Ayrshire opens, providing support and care to an increasing number of Veterans.
1996
Audley Court in Shropshire is purchased. Our expert staff currently help 1,296 Veterans here.
2003
HRH The Prince of Wales becomes Patron of Combat Stress, taking over from HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who served as Patron for 60 years.
2010
Combat Stress launches The Enemy Within Appeal. The three-year Appeal helps raise awareness of the plight of Veterans and secures vital funds.
2014
We mark our 95th year, having supported over 100,000 Veterans. Today, we work with some 5,400 Veterans – and the need for our services grows year on year.
InTouch www.combatstress.org.uk
Remembering the past
W
ith this year’s commemorations of the outbreak of the First World War, it’s important to remember the brave nurses. Working just behind the frontline trenches in France and Belgium to nurse wounded troops, they were pretty much left to their own devices – but they learned fast. They had to improvise all the time. Elsie Knocker, later to become Baroness de T’Serclaes, set up an advanced first aid post in the cellar of a house on the front line. She and her colleague Mairi Chisholm won numerous bravery awards and were among the most photographed women of the war. Another group of such capable women saw the war through in a variety of volunteer roles, but each witnessed the devastating impact
of the war on the so-called ‘shellshocked’ soldiers. So they made it their business to do something about it. They knew they could offer real hope and a helping hand. Within months of the Armistice in November 1918, they formed the Fellowship of Reconstruction and Welfare Bureau, soon to be renamed the
Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society – today’s Combat Stress. Friends and family can be a bridge between the ex-Service man, woman or Reservist and often get in touch with us direct. Anyone needing support – serving personnel, Veterans and their families – should contact the free 24hour Helpline on 0800 138 1619.
57%
increase in Afghanistan Veterans seeking our help (2012-13)
13,714
Helpline calls
from March 2011-2014
Update on Pop-in Centres In the last issue of In Touch we wrote to tell you that we had teamed up with The Royal British Legion to deliver services for Veterans in the community. We now have two sites up and running where you can access expert advice and information, so if you
are local to Liverpool or Plymouth, please do ‘PopIn’ to see us. The one-stop shops can help with benefits and housing, or getting started on the assessment process for treatment. We are sure this will make a real difference to a great many families.
24-HOUR
HELPLINE
0800 138 1619 Our Helpline is available 24 hours a day to the military community, including Veterans, serving personnel, Reservists and their families. Trained staff are there to listen, give support and direct callers to our Community and Outreach teams.
WWW.COMBATSTRESS.ORG.UK
THE NUMBERS
13
years: the average time after leaving the Services before Veterans seek help from Combat Stress 30 months: the average time before Iraq Veterans seek our help
18
months: the average time that Afghan Veterans wait before seeking our help 20% of Afghan and Iraq Veterans are predicted to develop a common mental health condition
13%
of Iraq and Afghan Veterans misuse alcohol 4% of Iraq and Afghan war Veterans are predicted to show signs of PTSD
18
years is the age of the youngest Veteran we have helped Support is there: call our Helpline on 0800 138 1619
BACK AT WORK? TELL YOUR STORY Everyone likes to hear a good story and it’s hard to beat a real-life tale of success. That’s why we’d like to hear from anyone who has been out of treatment for about a year (so we can understand your beforeduring-after journey) and who is now back at work. Speak to your Key Worker if you’d like to get involved. Your fellow Veterans might not know anything about Combat Stress, but they need to know they aren’t alone and will understand how we can help when they hear how you got through it.
ARMED FORCES DAY On 28 June, the country joined together and celebrated Armed Forces Day. Communities up and down the length of Britain came together to remember and give thanks to both those who currently serve, and those who have served their country. Here at Combat Stress we supported the day by being involved in regional events where we know that many Veterans live. In the host city, Stirling, we were joined by
our partners, Rethink Mental Illness, who deliver the 24-hour Combat Stress Helpline. This important event attracted royalty and politicians alongside the crowds. And despite a brief spell of rain, visitor numbers to our stand were impressive. While raising awareness, we managed to make £750 through sales of merchandise on the day. To see any of our new merchandise range, please visit www.combatstress.org.uk/shop
Everything in ‘Black and White’ Dana Kovacova, a recovery support worker from our Occupational Therapy (OT) department, devised a themed photography exhibition entitled ‘Black and White in Tyrwhitt House’. The Veterans rose to the challenge and made use of a
range of cameras including their smart phones. The entries were displayed in the OT department, and Veterans and staff voted for their favourite. The winning image was taken by Anthony Storrs, who discovered photography during his stay at Tyrwhitt
House. He felt it has increased his resilience, well-being and self-esteem.
Anthony’s winning entry: ‘Poppies’
WHAT’S ON IN GLASGOW? If you are local, why not visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to see ‘Getting Creative with Combat Stress’? The exhibition runs from 2 August to 16 November and features beautiful and moving art created by Veterans during their stay at our Hollybush House Treatment Centre. Visit: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove
InTouch We’d like to know what you think of InTouch: please email your comments to feedback@combatstress.org.uk
Getting you the right help
O
ur 24-hour Helpline is the first port of call for anyone in trouble. But what happens next? Everyone has their own set of issues, so we’ll get to know you first before coming up with a plan to help you on the path to recovery. And if you can’t come to us, we will come to you. We have residential treatment centres, too, and we work with the NHS, if that’s what’s needed. The important thing is to get in touch – call the Helpline – and take the first steps with our help.
A handy, at-a-glance guide to Combat Stress’s services On average, Veterans first approach Combat Stress for help more than 13 years after their Service discharge, by which time their condition is often highly complex. As the Veterans’ mental health charity, we treat a number of conditions, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. To help Veterans rebuild their lives, we provide a range of free services: RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT STAYS Short-stay clinical treatment and the PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme – specialist services are on offer at our Treatment Centres in Ayrshire, Shropshire and Surrey. OUTPATIENT TREATMENT
KEEP IT MOVING We know there are lots of Veterans out there who need us – and that it’s hard to ask for help. So, when you’ve finished with this copy of InTouch, why not pass it to someone else? We know discussing mental health can be tricky, but it shouldn’t be. You might even offer InTouch to the local GP for someone to come across in the surgery. Keep it moving – and you may just save another Veteran’s life.
Assessment by psychiatrists and psychologists to diagnose and deliver the right treatment. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Using meaningful and creative activity, we help foster Veterans’ hope, well-being and recovery. COMMUNITY AND OUTREACH TEAMS Our UK-wide network provides treatment and practical support to Veterans and their families in their own home. RESERVE FORCES LIAISON TEAM
Reaching out We’re happy to speak to friends and family too, to steer them in the right direction if they need support or want to help a loved one. The Combat Stress 24-hour Helpline is for the military community and their families. It can give guidance on various issues from mental health to practical support. You can also text 07537 404719 (standard charges apply for texts) or email combatstress@rethink.org
Working directly with Reservists and military staff, this team supports their particular mental health needs. 24-HOUR HELPLINE Our confidential service – which can be accessed free on 0800 138 1619 – is a great start for any Veteran who needs our help or wants to find out more about Combat Stress. NEW PROGRAMMES BEING PILOTED As part of our short-stay residential courses, we are now piloting courses that will help Veterans with multiple, complex symptoms which co-exist with PTSD. So a Veteran who suffers with pain and PTSD can be treated alongside other Veterans who have multiple health problems. For the first time, Combat Stress Veterans in England and Scotland will be guided into appropriate substance misuse and mental health services working together.