Military Veterans: Government Must Try Harder!

The United Kingdom has faced significant challenges in adequately supporting its veterans, leading to several notable shortcomings. For example, A study involving 1,000 former service members revealed that nearly two-thirds of veterans experience mental health issues, with over half lacking adequate treatment plans. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD are prevalent, yet many veterans feel unsupported by their GPs, and 42% believe mental health support in the UK is insufficient, leading to feelings of hopelessness. Many veterans struggle to translate their military skills into civilian employment. The changing nature of warfare has led to a "perception gap," where employers fail to recognise the value of veterans' skills, resulting in underemployment or unemployment. This issue is compounded by a lack of targeted re-skilling programs and support during the transition to civilian life. The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged that suicide data for all UK Armed Forces veterans is not currently captured by the government. This lack of comprehensive data hampers the ability to address and prevent suicides among veterans effectively. An independent review highlighted that the UK's veteran welfare system is over-complicated and fragmented, with an overwhelming volume of support services and poorly defined responsibilities. This complexity causes confusion for both users and providers, leading to inefficiencies and deterring veterans from seeking the support they need. Female veterans, from those who served during the D-Day landings to the modern day have struggled for recognition and support. Many received minimal assistance and felt abandoned post-service. Efforts are underway to address these grievances, but historical neglect has left lasting impacts. Addressing these failings requires a concerted effort to provide comprehensive mental health services, facilitate smoother employment transitions, collect accurate data on veteran suicides, streamline welfare services, and ensure equitable recognition and support for all veterans.

Tony Wright CEO Forward Assist