Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway – National Framework

3. Introduction

Scotland is home to a substantial and diverse veteran population which is distributed across Health Board areas. This includes higher concentrations in regions proximate to military bases.

Many veterans adjust well to civilian life, but we know that a significant proportion experience poor mental health associated with deprivation, isolation, or trauma exposure. This is fully understandable. Military personnel often have to deal with, or witness, trauma. A recent UK study indicated that 28% of ex-service personnel reported common mental health conditions. 9% reported symptoms of post-traumatic distress disorder (PTSD)^[2].

Veterans have reported that barriers to accessing help and support include poor awareness of relevant services, the administrative burden, transport to and from appointments, stigma, and the need to frequently repeat and re-tell their unique story.

"Public transport is overwhelming for me. The noise, crowds, and unpredictability bring back memories and make it impossible to get to my appointments." - Service user with PTSD

Veterans also report a current inequity of access across Scotland when trying to get support for their mental health. However, they have also identified enablers which would help and encourage them to seek help. These includes - but are not limited to - clear information, trusted peer support, family involvement, and integrated services.

Our forthcoming national Pathway will align with several national Strategies and policy initiatives. These include Scotland’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy^[3], and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework (SRF).

Additionally, the Pathway will recognise the broad and diverse service provision for veterans in Scotland that is currently delivered by the third, public and private sectors. This support is often delivered by collaborations and well-established networks. They are funded by a wide range of sources including the Scottish Government and the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund.

Retaining this expertise, and this level of connection across various partners, will be crucial to success.

The Pathway will also support NHS Boards and Local Authorities to be responsive to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant^[4].

The Covenant places a legal duty on specified public bodies to have due regard to its principles when exercising relevant functions in healthcare, education, and housing.

The development of this Framework, and the forthcoming national Pathway, will help continue to grow the evidence base regarding who is accessing services, and how services are delivered. This is crucial in ensuring that the mental health and wellbeing services for veterans can continually adapt and evolve in order to provide the right support in response to the unique circumstances of each veteran.

As we stand up the national Pathway on a phased basis, we will continue to engage with Scotland’s only dedicated armed forces research centre (Centre of Military Research, Education and Public Engagement), the Scottish Armed Forces and Research Network (SAFER), and other affiliated research endeavours.