Yesterday (29 October), Chancellor Philip Hammond announced an additional £10 million to support veterans’ mental health needs, to mark the centenary of the armistice.
The announcement came as part of the autumn budget reveal. The money will be made as a donation to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.
£10 million donation to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support #veterans' #mental #health announced in the autumn budget #Budget2018 pic.twitter.com/yeXTHFEoi9
— ArmedForcesCharities (@forcescharities) October 29, 2018
CENTENARY
A total of £19 million will go towards the commemoration of the centenary of the armistice, including £8 million to help with costs of repairing village halls, miners welfare facilities and armed forces organisations’ facilities.
Mr. Hammond also announced £1.7 million for schools across the UK to educate about the Holocaust, to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of concentration camps in World War Two. This will include trips to First World War battlefields.
In addition to this, the chancellor announced an extra £1 billion over the next two years for the armed forces, for modernisation of defence.
We're pleased to hear an investment of £10m for #mentalhealth care for #veterans, to mark the centenary of #WW1 Armistice. #Budget2018 #BudgetDay
— Combat Stress (@CombatStress) October 29, 2018
MENTAL HEALTH
A recent study by Kings College London has showed that an estimated one in three veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan experience a mental health issue, with nearly one in five showing symptoms of PTSD. The additional funding for veterans’ mental health services hopes to reach more people affected, and make the services more accessible to all.
Reaching out and asking for help can often be the hardest part, but is the first step on the road to recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there is help out there.
Today is World Mental Health Day and SSAFA's free, confidential and growing helpline Forcesline is here to help if you are serving or ex-serving and need someone to talk to.
Call 0800 731 4880.#WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD2018 pic.twitter.com/B6nTH7QokA
— SSAFA (@SSAFA) October 10, 2018
Armed forces charities, including SSAFA, Combat Stress and Help for Heroes, have been supporting those with mental health issues for years, and are committed to continuing the support. Any veterans who would like to seek help for their mental health can contact the charities below.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund
SSAFA
Help for Heroes
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