Mike Hancock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Hancock on 2014-04-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of post-traumatic stress disorder on the ability of former services personnel to reintegrate into civilian life.
Anna Soubry
Although mental health problems, and PTSD in particular, are no more prevalent amongst Service personnel than the broader civilian population, it is recognised that Service personnel who do experience mental health problems may find it harder to make the transition to civilian life.
The Government has therefore given priority to ensuring that Service leavers and veterans can access timely and appropriate mental health treatment, should it be necessary, both in the NHS and through other programmes delivered across Government and the voluntary sector. All of the recommendations of the ‘Fighting Fit’ report, written by the now Minister for International Security Strategy (Dr Murrison), have been implemented.
Examples of initiatives taken forward under this Government include Structured Mental Health assessment as part of routine and discharge medicals; specialist follow-on treatment after discharge; the introduction of e-learning packages for clinicians, providing information and advice on the healthcare needs of the Armed Forces, their families and veterans; funding for the Combat Stress 24 hr Mental Health Helpline; and the introduction of the Big White Wall, providing Mental Health wellbeing services to serving personnel, their families and veterans.
