Mental Health Support for Veterans 2021-03-15
2021-03-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the high demand for mental health services among veterans in the north-east. There are significant waiting times for appointments under the veterans' transition, intervention and liaison mental health service.
What steps he is taking to improve mental health support for veterans in the (a) north-east and (b) UK. But waiting times for face-to-face appointments under the veterans' transition, intervention and liaison mental health service was 37 days in 2020 against the Government's own target of 14. North-east charities, such as Forward Assist and Anxious Minds in Newcastle, do fantastic work to support veterans in civilian life, but they have been overwhelmed with demand.
The Office for Veterans' Affairs champions our veterans' mental health and wellbeing needs at the heart of Government. Op Courage was launched bringing together three NHS England veterans' mental health services with a single point of access. With funding of £16 million written into the long-term plan for the NHS, rising to £20 million by 2022-23, world-class veterans' mental health care will be available in this country.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address whether care for veterans' mental wellbeing should begin before they leave the armed forces or what is being done to ensure better support during the transition.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the high demand for mental health services among veterans in the north-east. There are significant waiting times for appointments under the veterans' transition, intervention and liaison mental health service.
But waiting times for face-to-face appointments under the veterans' transition, intervention and liaison mental health service was 37 days in 2020 against the Government's own target of 14. North-east charities, such as Forward Assist and Anxious Minds in Newcastle, do fantastic work to support veterans in civilian life, but they have been overwhelmed with demand.
I do not recognise the waiting times the hon. Member relays to me, but I am happy to write to her about what I understand them to be. Let me be really clear that with the funding that has gone into veterans' mental health—£16 million written into the long-term plan for the NHS, rising to £20 million by 2022-23—I am absolutely determined that world-class veterans' mental health care will be available in this country.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address whether care for veterans' mental wellbeing should begin before they leave the armed forces or what is being done to ensure better support during the transition.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the reluctance of service members to speak out about their mental health issues, similar to Meghan Markle's experience. There has been an increase in demand for mental health support among military personnel.
Last week, we saw Meghan Markle speaking out about how her pleas for support for her mental health crisis were dismissed. While obviously the military is a very different institution, military charities continue to see an increase in demand for mental health support, although people do still struggle to speak out. What steps is the Minister taking to help reduce the stigma around mental health in the military and veteran community?
I pay tribute to the hon. Member for all the championing she does in this area. Mental health has come on in leaps and bounds, particularly in the last five to 10 years. Actually, this year we are introducing mandatory mental health and fitness training for our armed forces personnel, which they will undergo every year.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy