New mental health service for armed forces veterans
Rollout of a new mental health service for armed forces veterans is now underway.
The Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (VMH CTS) is for former forces personnel diagnosed with complex mental illness. Many will have been affected by trauma, and all will be facing challenges as a direct result of their military service.
This month marks the start of the new service, which will offer trauma-focused therapies and other support to veterans, including help with substance misuse, physical health, employment, accommodation, relationships and finances.
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is one of five NHS trusts to be providing this service nationally, and we’re partnering with Combat Stress, the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity, to deliver this service in the north of England.
It will be staffed by a dedicated team of nurses, occupational therapists, psychological therapists, a psychiatrist and peer support workers, who will work with veterans either in their homes or in appropriate community venues.
The new service builds on the NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (VMH TILS) which launched a year ago, and will continue to provide the first intervention for veterans with a mental health need.
Referrals into the new Complex Treatment Service will be via the Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service. In the north, this is run by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
If you think you, or someone you know, may benefit from the new service, please contact the Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service.