Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway – National Framework

1. Ministerial Foreword

We are delighted to publish this Veterans Mental Health Framework for Scotland, which marks a firm step forward in how we support the mental health and wellbeing of anyone who has served in our armed forces.

The Framework sets out our vision for every veteran in Scotland to be able to access appropriate and timely mental health and wellbeing support. That should be the case no matter where in the country a veteran asks for help.

Serving one’s country is an act of great courage and commitment. We owe a profound debt of gratitude to those who have done so, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they can access the support they need, on a consistent basis, and without fear of stigma or discrimination.

We recognise that military service brings with it a distinct set of experiences and demands. While many veterans transition successfully into civilian life, some will face mental health challenges that require a tailored and specialist response from our services. The nature of their experiences - including service‑related injuries, periods of transition, and exposure to traumatic events - can differ significantly from those of the wider population.

This Framework therefore acknowledges the unique context of military life and the specific considerations required to meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of veterans effectively. And it reaffirms the previous Strategy for our veterans in Scotland, and its accompanying Delivery Plan.

In developing this Framework, we have listened closely to the voices of veterans, and to the expertise of professionals across statutory and third sector services, via our Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group. Their insights have been vital in shaping a new structure that will establish clear levels of support, and ensure that veterans can enter the system with ease, being guided to the services most appropriate to their needs.

This collaborative approach has ensured that the Framework is both workable for services, and responsive to the experiences of the veteran community.

This Framework also aligns with the values underpinning Scotland’s wider mental health policies, particularly the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework^[1] (SRF). This has resulted in us being able to create a coherent and consistent approach to improving outcomes for veterans.

First and foremost, the Framework will act as a “road map” for how mental health and wellbeing services can be delivered for veterans, regardless of where they live in Scotland. However, achieving the ambition of the Framework in practice will require sustained and collaborative action. Over the coming months, our focus will centre on implementing the Framework, strengthening service standards, enhancing training, improving data and insight, and embedding robust evaluation.

We will monitor progress closely to ensure that improvements are both meaningful and measurable. With strong partnerships across statutory services and the veterans’ third sector, we are confident that we can build a Scotland where veterans receive the support they deserve, at the right time, and in the right way.

Together, we will uphold our commitment to honouring the service of our veterans by creating a mental health system that is compassionate, accessible, and effective for all.

Tom Arthur MSP

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing

Greame Dey MSP

Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans